Building Improvement Grant (BIG) Program

2025 Program Details

The BIG Program provides dollar-for-dollar matching grants for eligible improvements to commercial properties. Since its launch in 2021, the initiative has helped stimulate reinvestment, improve aesthetics, and preserve the historic character that defines Opelousas.

2025 BIG Grant Recipients:

CASA of St. Landry–Evangeline — 205 W. Landry Street
The Granger Group — 130 W. Vine Street
Mack Frank (Myers Home) — 633 N. Union Street
The Little Yellow Cottage — 2345 S. Court Street
The Parlor at Main — 117 S. Main Street
Townhouse Motel — 337 W. Landry Street

The Opelousas Downtown Development District provides funding for the program with support from the City of Opelousas and Opelousas Main Street, Inc. Through partnerships like these, the BIG Program continues to create a positive visual impact, encourage local investment, and safeguard the city’s historic and cultural assets for future generations.

Resources:

2024 Program Details

Qualified business and commercial property owners in the Opelousas Downtown Development District can now apply for a second round of grant funds for building rehabilitation through the Building Improvement Grant (BIG) program. The deadline for applications is August 15, 2024.

This local grant program aims to assist property and business owners in enhancing their buildings, creating more economic opportunities for businesses in the downtown area, preserving the city’s historic identity and cultural assets, and stimulating local investment.

The grant program is made possible through a partnership between the Opelousas Downtown Development District, Opelousas Main Street, and the City of Opelousas, with funding provided by the ODDD.

Download 2024 BUILDING IMPROVEMENT GRANT (BIG): Second Round Guidelines

Download 2024 BUILDING IMPROVEMENT GRANT (BIG): Round 1 Recipients

Download 2024 BUILDING IMPROVEMENT GRANT (BIG): CHECKLIST

Download 2024 BUILDING IMPROVEMENT GRANT (BIG): Application (Second Round)

2023 Program Details

Opelousas Downtown Development District (ODDD), with support from the City of Opelousas, and Opelousas Main Street (OMS), is excited to announce the third year of funding for the Building Improvement Grant (BIG) program. This matching grant program is designed to assist property and business owners in rehabilitating commercial buildings for the purpose of creating a positive visual impact, stimulating private investment, complementing other community development efforts and preserving the city’s historic identity and cultural assets.

About the Building Grant Improvement Program

The BIG program is a reimbursement grant program that gives business/property owners an incentive to renovate and rehabilitate their building located within the designated ODDD (see map.) Preference will be given to applications whose buildings are also located within the Main Street District. This year the program will offer a total of $50,000 in grant funds for selected projects. The maximum amount that can be applied for is $10,000. Grant award amounts must be matched dollar for dollar by the recipient. An applicant is only allowed one grant per fiscal year.