A new Clearwater grant program will focus on reducing blight, generating more pedestrian activity within the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) boundaries and helping with other revitalization to stimulate the local economy.
The three new business assistance grant programs for commercial property owners and tenants total more than $1.5 million over two years at varying levels to improve the 488-acre CRA.
“The CRA has really rooted this program in the community need,” said Rosemary D’Amour, Public Relations and Program Manager for the CRA. “Our overall goal is to reduce blight and vacancy, which can be a chronic, long-term problem in downtowns everywhere. We have created this suite of grants to address that.”
The Commercial Beautification Grant Program will offer up to 20 small-scale grants to make exterior improvements, including signs or painting. The projects cannot exceed $25,000. The CRA provides $5,000 for eligible improvements, then a 50% match toward the total cost, up to $12,500.
The Whitebox Grant Program targets older properties in need of windows, upgrading restrooms to Americans with Disabilities standards or making improvement to comply with building codes. Whitebox can provide up to six grants. The total project may not exceed $100,000, with the CRA funding up to $25,000 and a 50% match toward the remainder.
The Vacancy Reduction Program, which can provide up to two grants, will be awarded to property owners for exterior and interior improvements with a 50% match up to a maximum of $500,000.
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