Luling Investment for Tomorrow (LIFT) Grant

The Luling Investment for Tomorrow (LIFT) Grant Program provides for-profit businesses, commercial property owners, and commercial tenants in Luling, Texas with reimbursement grants of up to $25,000 (or up to $50,000 for qualifying business expansions) to encourage private investment, strengthen local businesses, and improve commercial properties. Administered by the Luling Economic Development Corporation (LEDC), the program reimburses up to 75 percent of approved eligible project costs, with applicants required to provide a minimum 25 percent cash match (in-kind contributions, donated labor, and other grant funds do not qualify as match). The program is structured across three tiers: Tier 1 awards range from $1 to $9,999, Tier 2 awards range from $10,000 to $25,000, and Tier 3 awards up to $50,000 are available for existing Luling businesses that have operated continuously in the city for more than three years and are pursuing a defined expansion project.

Eligible project expenditures span a broad range of business and property improvements, including façade and exterior improvements (such as structural façade rehabilitation, masonry work, awnings, canopies, storefronts, and architectural details), signage and exterior lighting, site and public-facing improvements (parking lots, driveways, sidewalks, landscaping, drainage), building systems and code-related improvements (electrical, plumbing, HVAC, fire suppression, roofing, accessibility upgrades), interior build-outs, durable business equipment and technology, and workforce training and skills development directly related to an approved expansion. Professional and design services (architectural, engineering, environmental) and marketing services (website development, branding, photography, digital advertising) are also eligible, each capped at 10 percent of total eligible project costs. Ineligible expenses include projects started before the grant agreement is executed, debt service and loan payments, working capital, payroll, rent, utilities, inventory, vehicles, routine maintenance, applicant or employee labor and sweat equity, home-based businesses or primary residences, and costs already reimbursed by another program.

To qualify, applicants must operate a for-profit business at a commercial location within Luling city limits, be authorized to conduct business in Texas and in good standing, have no delinquent utility accounts, property taxes, sales taxes, liens, court fines, or other outstanding financial obligations to the City, LEDC, Caldwell County, or other applicable taxing jurisdictions, and maintain all required licenses, registrations, insurance, and permits. Applicants must either own the project property or provide a current lease with written owner authorization. Expansion awards require documentation of more than three continuous years of business operation in Luling along with evidence of financial capacity and project feasibility. Each applicant, business, common owner, affiliated entity, or project location may receive no more than one LIFT award within a 12-month period for awards under $10,000, or within a 24-month period for awards of $10,000 or more.

Applications are reviewed through a competitive process using a 100-point evaluation framework that scores projects on economic impact, private investment and leverage, business stability and capacity, project readiness and feasibility, community and visual benefit, retention or expansion benefit, alignment with Luling priorities, and local ownership and procurement. Standard applications generally need to score at least 65 points, while expansion requests above $25,000 generally need at least 75 points. Awards exceeding $10,000 require both LEDC Board approval and City Council approval by resolution. Grants are reimbursed only after project completion, with recipients required to keep the funded business open and operating at the approved Luling location for at least 13 months after reimbursement (up to 36 months for larger expansion awards), and partial or full repayment may be required if a business closes, sells, or relocates within the first year.