Business Resources

Downtown Brochure

Looking to open, relocate or expand your business? Downtown Fond du Lac is poised for dynamic growth over the next three years. Major investment by the public and private sector are getting the attention of commercial and residential developers. Now is the time for you to consider downtown Fond du Lac as the place to expand your business.

Downtown Fond du Lac Business Brochure (pdf)

Business Improvement District (BID) Map

In 1999, the council received approval from downtown property owners to create a Business Improvement District (BID), and the initial Operating Plan was approved by the Fond du Lac City Council. District boundaries are, roughly, Main Street from Follett Street on the north to Ninth Street on the south, and encompassing several side streets east and west of Main.

View the BID Map

Market Analysis

The DFP completed a market analysis done by CommunityFutures, Inc. of Denver, Colorado. The Market Analysis provided the DFP with information on where we are now and where we need to go in the future. We will be using the information gained through the Market Analysis to create the roadmap for the future.

DFP Market Analysis (pdf)

Design Guidelines

The Downtown Fond du Lac Partnership's Design Review Board has authored, "Design Guidelines, A Guide to Rehabilitation, Renovation and New Construction". The Design Guidelines are the result of collaborative work between the DFP's Design Review Board and the City of Fond du Lac’s Planning Department. They will be used in evaluating DFP facade grant applications. It is the hope of the DFP that property and business owners will use these guidelines to make decisions that will enhance their property and the district overall.

DFP Design Guidelines (pdf)

Business Survey

In order to better understand the conditions and concerns of downtown business owners in Fond du Lac, a business owner survey was undertaken to collect comprehensive business information about needs and opportunities, business and workforce data, and market and marketing data. The following document provides a summary of the responses collected in the survey.

DFP Business Survey (pdf)

Facade Grant Program

The DFP has a matching grant program to stimulate exterior building improvements in the partnership. The purpose of the program is to provide matching grants (up to $2,000) to existing commercial buildings for preservation, restoration and maintenance. Any property owner or tenant who receives the business improvement district assessment may submit an application. Only one grant per property will be allowed each year. A design review board administers the grant program. Some of the eligible activities under this program include cleaning of exterior building surfaces, tuckpointing, painting, signage and design improvements. Priority is given to front facades even though rear and side building improvements are eligible. Roof repairs, construction of new buildings and interior improvements are ineligible activities of the grant program. If interested in applying for a façade grant, download the program guidelines and a copy of the application.

DFP Facade Grant Application (pdf)