Margarita Meza received $100,000 from the city of Banning in 2007.

It was a grant to make improvements to the facade of the former Ramsey Street Herb House, which Meza and her husband had purchased. At the time, the 1940s building was in disrepair.

"We put a whole new face on the front of the building," Meza said.

For numerous years, Banning has provided grants and loans to eligible property owners who want to "beautify and improve the exterior appearance of their building facade," according to the city's Web site.

Construction activity downtown was particularly brisk in 2008, when several aging storefronts were renovated as part of the city's Downtown Facade Improvement Program.

Now, Calimesa is preparing to offer a similar program. Beaumont may do the same by the end of the year.

The Calimesa City Council on Monday unanimously approved a facade improvement program that will provide matching grants to business owners on Calimesa Boulevard between County Line Road and Sandalwood Drive.

"Kudos to the city," said Nanette Peykani, executive director of the Calimesa Chamber of Commerce.

Peykani said local businesses might not be able to make such improvements on their own in these economic times.

The city has set aside $250,000 in redevelopment bond proceeds to provide up to $15,000 for every 50 square feet of facade. This means if a building is 60 feet long, the owner could receive $30,000.

According to interim Redevelopment Manager Judith Von Klug, the money could, for example, be used to install a new entryway, replace windows or affix a different material to the base of the facade, such as stone.

If an owner wants to make improvements to a business sign only, $7,500 grants are available.

An additional $10,000 is available if the owner includes public improvements, such as curb repairs, to his or her plans.

"It's a great program and has the ability to completely revitalize the downtown," Calimesa intermim City Manager Randy Anstine said by e-mail. Anstine and Von Klug previously worked for the city of Banning.

Von Klug said Calimesa officials want to start processing grant applications as soon as possible.

Over in Beaumont, staff is crunching the numbers to see what kind of money is available in the budget for a commercial facade improvement program. Planning Director Ernie Egger thinks $250,000 is needed to start off.

Egger believes the city will embark on the program by the end of the year.

"I think it's abundantly clear that places that are attractive and inviting prosper to a greater degree than areas that are not," he said.

The city of Temecula has provided facade grants to businesses in Old Town since about 1997.

"I think the facade improvements have given a complete facelift to downtown," said Luke Watson, a management analyst with the city's redevelopment agency.

Old Town has gone from a local spot to a tourist destination, Watson said.

At the former Herb House in Banning, Meza opened a beauty salon and spa in 2008. She is certain the renovated storefront, with its Mediterranean look, draws customers.

Business is brisk.

Reach Erin Waldner at 951-763-3473 or ewaldner@PE.com