Rental Assistance Grant
Matching Grants are available to new, expanding, or relocating business owners who pay rent for property where their business is located. Eligible businesses may receive awards of up to 100% of one month’s rent with no single grant exceeding $1,000. Qualifying businesses, including those who rent an existing suite within a larger building, must show continuing occupancy of six months prior to grant award. Rental property owners are required to provide an equal match.
Façade Improvement Grant
Matching Grants are available to property owners, or lessees with property owner authorization, who rehabilitate building fronts. Eligible projects may receive awards of up to 50% of the façade improvement project cost with no single grant exceeding $2,500. Examples of eligible projects include installation or rehabilitation to front-of-building doors, windows, siding, paint, signage, and repairs.
Underutilized Building Grant
Matching grants are available to property owners and lessees who rehabilitate buildings, including suites, which have have been vacant for two or more continuous years. Eligible projects may receive awards of up to 25% of the project cost with no single grant exceeding $6,000.
Black Top (Parking Lot) Grant
Matching grants are available to businesses that rehabilitate existing asphalt or concrete parking lots, or convert all weather surface parking lots into asphalt or concrete parking lots. Projects may receive awards of up to 50% of the total projects with no single grant exceeding $2,500.
Fee Abatement / Waiver
Fees associated with new construction and remodels may be abated, rebated, or a combination of both. Fees subject to abatement and or rebate are: water tap, water meter, sewer tap, and building permit. Building permits may be rebated or abated up to 50% of the cost of the permit. All other fees may be rebated or abated up to 100% of the cost. All combined rebates and or abatements shall not exceed $7,500.
Tax Holiday
The City portion of levied property taxes is rebated to qualifying new, expanding, or relocating businesses. Rebates are available for up to three years as follows: 75% will be rebated after year one taxes are paid; 50% after year two taxes are paid; and 25% after year three taxes are paid.
Education/Training Grants
Grants are available to qualifying business owners and or key personnel who wish to attend eligible classes, seminars, workshops, or training sessions (including 'on-line' opportunities), designed to specifically benefit their business.
Industrial Revenue Bonds / Tax Abatement
Industrial Revenue Bonds and associated Tax Abatement may be offered to specific new, expanding, or relocating businesses based on job creation, investment, and wages paid to employees. The purpose of IRB financing is to promote, stimulate, and develop the general economic welfare of the City through promotion and advancement of physical and mental health, industrial commercial, agricultural, natural resources and recreational development in the City, to encourage and assist in the location of new business and industry in the City and the expansion, relocation or retention of existing business, industry and health facilities; and to ensure the economic stability of the City by providing great employment opportunities, diversification of industry and improved physical and mental health of the City and, is deemed to be in the best interests of the City.
Infrastructure Improvement Assistance
Qualifying businesses located in targeted areas may be eligible for infrastructure (water, sanitary sewer, storm sewer, street) improvement assistance up to 15% of the project costs including design, construction, and inspection. Certain target areas may also be eligible for extended special assessments or special assessments payment deferment.
Grants and incentives may stipulate specific deadlines for each incentive year. All awards are based on specific program criteria. All grants and incentives will be formalized in a written Agreement between the recipient and the City of