FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) - Funding is now available for small businesses located in Downtown Fresno or Chinatown that are aiming to enhance their exterior appearance. Businesses can apply for the Facade Improvement Program through the Fresno Area Hispanic Foundation. Through the City of Fresno's General Fund, there is $360,000 set aside for this program. Program to improve small businesses returns to Fresno Each business can apply for up to $20,000. "It's going to help our small businesses with their image, it is going to help them attract more customers, and it's going to be able to beautify their outside of the business," said Dora Westerlund, COO of the Fresno Area Hispanic Foundation. But this program isn't new.  With the need so great, the City of Fresno and the Fresno Area Hispanic Foundation brought it back for a third round. "And the difference this time around is that we are asking for a 25% match by the small business, what we've learned is if you small businesses have a stake in it, then they will fulfill all the paperwork required completely, and finish their improvement quickly," said Fresno City Councilman Miguel Arias.  Over 80 businesses were selected last cycle, but this round, at least 18 will be funded. "The need is there, they're interested, you know, they want to better their businesses, they want to grow and they want to continue operations here in the city of Fresno," shared Yurubi Ramirez, CAO of the Fresno Area Hispanic Foundation. Businesses like Colima Barbershop and Los Panchos Mexican Restaurant, have been able to make improvements. "The small businesses have been very appreciative because they're also the ones, usually hit with vandalism and breakage of windows and doors, and those are things that the city cannot reimburse for or help with, but they have to absorb that cost," Arias said. And the revitalization of one business can encourage others to follow suit. "With the sign, with the awnings, with the new windows; people are attracted to go to that place and they're it's a better environment, a safer place," Westerlund said. The deadline to apply is Nov. 13.  For more information, or to apply, click here.