I want Lillooet to have a real downtown revitalization plan — not a series of disconnected, one-off projects.
Our downtown should look intentional, welcoming and cohesive. That means thinking about the entire streetscape together: signage, lighting, paint, landscaping, planters, benches, façades and the way people move through downtown.
The goal is not to make every building look the same. It is to create a recognizable downtown identity that makes Main Street more attractive for residents, visitors and businesses.
A practical downtown revitalization plan could include:
- Coordinated business signage
- Wayfinding and directional signage
- Gateway signage
- A cohesive colour palette
- Improved lighting and decorative light posts
- Planters, flowers and landscaping
- Benches and street furniture
- Façade improvement guidelines
- Pedestrian and streetscape improvements
A stronger downtown supports existing businesses, improves the visitor experience and gives people more reason to stop, shop, eat, stay and come back.
THE FUNDING ALREADY EXISTS
Northern Development Initiative Trust has programs specifically designed for this kind of work.
NDIT MAIN STREET REVITALIZATION — PLANNING
This is the “make the plan” grant.
NDIT provides up to $20,000, covering up to 50% of eligible costs, to help local governments create a downtown revitalization vision and action plan.
This could be used to develop the cohesive plan for signage, colours, lighting, landscaping, planters, street furniture, façades and other downtown improvements.
Next application deadline: January 31, 2027. NDIT accepts applications for this program three times annually: January 31, April 30 and July 31.
NDIT MAIN STREET REVITALIZATION — CAPITAL
This is the “do the work” grant.
Once the plan is in place, NDIT provides up to $200,000, covering up to 70% of an eligible project budget, to actually implement downtown improvements.
NDIT specifically lists eligible examples including:
- Gateway and wayfinding signage
- Lighting improvements
- Landscaping and street trees
- Street furniture
- Pedestrian and cycling improvements
- General streetscape improvements
Next application deadline: January 31, 2027.
Other communities are already using this funding for exactly this kind of work, including new lighting, planters, street furniture and wayfinding signage.
NDIT BUSINESS FAÇADE IMPROVEMENT
This program helps improve the privately owned buildings that make up Main Street.
NDIT provides municipalities with up to $20,000 each year to operate a façade improvement program. Individual façade projects can receive 50% of eligible costs, up to $5,000.
Eligible improvements include:
- Exterior paint and siding
- Storefront signage
- Façade improvements
- Exterior lighting
- Awnings
- Murals
- Architectural features
The application window for 2027 funding is open now.
Deadline: October 31, 2026.
MY APPROACH
The path forward is fairly straightforward.
First: Apply for the Business Façade Improvement program by October 31, 2026, allowing businesses to access support for signage, paint and storefront improvements.
Second: Apply for the Main Street Revitalization Planning program by January 31, 2027 and create one coordinated downtown plan.
Third: Use that plan to pursue up to $200,000 through the Main Street Revitalization Capital program to actually build the public improvements — signage, lighting, landscaping, planters, benches, gateway signs and streetscape improvements.
The important part is the order.
Plan it first. Fund it. Then build it.
That is how we move away from isolated projects and start creating a downtown that looks deliberate, connected and worth investing in.
You get what you expect. I expect great things.
When you start to imagine, anything is possible, it becomes achievable. These are visionary pictures, updated with proposed/possible changes. Its a mock up of what could be. Hard? No not really. Totally doable, achievable and possible. Amazing what a little signage, some paint and some plants will do. Isnt it? Dream again. Get people out on the street again. Talking, shopping, meeting and eating again.
Photos created by me for conversation and demonstration purposes. There are several ways of doing this, grants being just one of them.
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