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The recently closed application period for a second round of city Business District Revitalization Grants again netted requests for much more money than the $500,000 available.
Last June, there were 81 requests for a collective $2.5 million -- leading to awards for 27 businesses.
This time, there were 95 requests for a total of $2.2 million, officials said at a meeting this week.
Three city staffers will evaluate the applications based on rating criteria that include eligibility requirements -- businesses may have no more than 50 employees -- and "impact on our priorities," said Community Development Director Diana White.
Those priorities are to create a positive impact on the property and wage tax base of the city, to create employment opportunities, to redevelop existing structures -- especially so as to remediate or prevent blight -- or to develop vacant ground, according to the application blank.
The program this time will award grants up to $25,000 for physical improvements to existing commercial buildings, professional design for those improvements and purchase of capital equipment valued at $1,000 or more, according to an application attachment.
Projects need to be under contract by the end of this year and be completed by the end of September 2024.
City Council will award the grants in April or May, according to White.
But first the evaluation committee will need to get through a stack of papers that is about 10 inches high, according to White and City Manager Omar Strohm, who held his hand above a table to illustrate.
The city is requiring Act 34 criminal background clearance this time, according to White.
Finalists will be subject to a credit check, according to White.
Mirror Staff Writer William Kibler is at 814-949-7038.