Apply for a Grant
Property Enhancement Grant
Swiss Bear, Inc. offers a Property Enhancement Grant to support the beautification and improvement of commercial properties in Downtown New Bern. This matching grant is available to property owners and businesses and covers three enhancement categories:
Façade Improvements – Up to $2,500
Signage – Up to $750
Landscaping – Up to $500
Applicants may apply for funding in any or all categories. Grants are awarded on a rolling basis and are first come, first served, with an annual funding cap.
For 2025, Swiss Bear is offering a total of $20,000 in grant funding. This amount is renewed annually.
Past Property Enhancement Grant Recipients
242 Middle Street LLC
Baxter’s 1892
Bear City Fudge
Bear City Impact
Blue Magnolia
Brewery 99
Broad Street Christian
Broad Street Laundry
Broad Street Takeout
CAGS
Carolina Creations
Coles Chiropractic
Community Artists Guild
Cork
Crema Brew
Edward Jones – Georgiana Bircher
Firefly Cafe
Freshwater Beer Co.
Galley Stores & Marina
HGL and KRL LLC
Living Well Down East
Mitchell Hardware
New Bern Historical Society
Poor Charlie’s
SL Revival
Studio 413
Studio M
Surf, Wind, and Fire
The Boathouse
The Country Biscuit
The Flying Fox
The Harvey
Twice as Nice
Uptown Business Association
Facade Grants
The City of New Bern has a façade grant program that is eligible to commercial properties in certain economic districts of the City. For more information about the City of New Bern Facade Grant Program contact the City of New Bern Development Services office at (252) 639-7586.
New Bern is part of the ElectriCities group. A benefit to being part of ElectriCities is that certain grant opportunities, including a facade grant, are available to Greater Downtown commercial properties.