Business Facade Grant

Purpose:

ReNewport is a Community Development Corporation located in Newport, Kentucky dedicated to improving the overall quality of life in the city.  A key aspect of improving the quality of life in a community is ensuring a strong and healthy economic climate.  One of the ways we do this is by providing Facade Improvement Grants to local businesses to help revitalize buildings.  The Facade Improvement Grants are intended to assist owners and occupants with updating or improving building facades, increasing curb appeal, and supporting the continued success of commercial operations. Expected outcomes include attracting patrons, creating job opportunities for residents, increasing the tax base, and supporting creation of other neighborhood amenities.  With the current increase in neighborhood participation, development momentum, and renaissance happening on the west side of Newport, our current investment priorities lie within the west side neighborhoods. By providing incentives for new and existing businesses on the west side of Newport, we will continue to build this momentum by strengthening existing businesses and attracting providers of goods and services to available commercial spaces.

Eligible Applicants:  

• For-profit commercial real estate owners, operators, or tenants with owner approval.

Maximum Funding and Match Requirements:

• The maximum grant award per project will not exceed $5,000.  
• Owner/applicant must provide a 1:1 funding match related to the proposed project.
• In-kind services will not be counted toward the match requirement.  
• Grant funds will be disbursed only after qualifying proof of purchase is submitted to and reviewed by ReNewport, and the grant activities described in the application are complete to the satisfaction of ReNewport.

Program Guidelines:

• New or existing business and building owners must be for-profit entities.
• The commercial property must be located within the program boundaries, described below.
• Space must be commercial in nature with a commercial tenant (single and multi-family residential properties are not eligible).
• Vacant properties are eligible, if they are for lease or sale at or below market rate.
• If leasing, must have proof of lease agreement.
• Building and business owners/commercial tenants must be in good standing and have an occupational license with the City of Newport.
• Zoning approval is required.
• An approved building permit is required, if applicable to the proposed facade improvement project.  
• The proposed project must be evaluated by the Newport Historic Preservation Office resulting in a Certificate of Appropriateness for the proposed facade improvement.
• Approved projects will not result in the reduction of storefront size, including reduction in windows and glass.
• Architectural drawings, as applicable, must be submitted with the application.
• Contractors used to complete projects under the grant must have an occupational license with the City of Newport.
• Grant funds will be prioritized for those projects that, in the opinion of ReNewport, provide the most benefit to the Newport community.
• Applicants may apply for the City of Newport Facade Improvement program concurrently with the ReNewport Facade Improvement Program to address the same property.  However, improvements must be made separately.  (Example:  applicant may apply for assistance with signage to one program, while applying for assistance with costs to improve windows via the other program.)
• Should the proposed grant activities cause, or potentially cause the release of hazardous substances (ex: asbestos, lead based paint, etc.) to the environment, applicants are required to abide by applicable or relevant and appropriate local, state and federal requirements.  
• Improvements made using grant funds are intended to be permanent and non-landscaping (plant) related.  
• Although our focus is in West Newport, we are open to projects outside of the designated boundaries. If you feel your project is in different neighborhood in the City, please feel free to apply.
• Extra consideration will be given to projects that do appropriately historic improvements as mentioned in the guidelines below.

Eligible Area:

Properties considered eligible for facade improvement assistance must be located within the following boundaries:  North from West 12th Street, South from West 4th Street, East from the Licking River / Lowell Street (Route 9), and West of York Street.  The boundaries include both sides of the streets listed. The eligible area is depicted below.

Zoning:  The City of Newport, Kentucky Zoning Map and helpful links are provided below.  Please verify zoning and occupational license status prior to applying to the program.  A building permit is also required.

Useful links:

Newport Permits and Zoning:

http://www.newportky.gov/City-Government/Planning-and-Development.aspx 

Newport Occupational Licensing: http://www.newportky.gov/City-Government/Finance-and-Administration.aspx

Historic Guidelines:

http://www.newportky.gov/City-Government/ERHD%20Design%20Review%20Guidelines.pdf 

ReNewport Facade Improvement Grant Application 

Applicant Information:

Project Information:

Please provide detailed cost estimates of the entire project (including grant request and match funds).  Provide third party contractor estimates as an attachment to this application.  

Total Project Costs:     _________

Grant Amount Requested:     ________

Applicant Match:    _________

For Leased Properties:

Do you lease the property to be improved?   _________

When did your lease begin?   __________                When does your lease end?  __________

Can you renew your lease?   __________                For how long may you renew?   __________

Property Owner Information (if different than applicant):

Property Owner Acknowledgement

I am the owner of the building address noted in this project application.  My contact information above is listed correctly.  I have been informed of the Applicant’s intention to perform the improvements described in this application, and I hereby authorize the tenant to apply for the proposed improvements.  

Property Owner Name (Print):   _______________________________

Property Owner Signature:   _________________________________    Date: __________

Attachment Requirements:

• Certificate of Appropriateness from the City of Newport Historic Preservation Officer.
• Photos of the specific areas of the building that will be improved.
• Cost estimates from third party contractors (if used), and/or estimates of materials and equipment.
• Proof of occupational licenses for businesses to be improved and contractors being used.
• Drawings of improvements to be made to building.
• Proof of lease agreement.
• Building Permit.

By applying for the ReNewport facade improvement grant, I certify that I have the funds to meet the match requirement.  Further, I understand that ReNewport reserves the right to deny funding for any reason. Completion of this application does not constitute a funding agreement, nor does it guarantee the applicant funding for the project described. I understand that funds will be awarded by reimbursement only, once the grant activities described in the application are complete to the satisfaction of ReNewport.  I understand that proof of purchase must be submitted with reimbursement requests, including but not limited to receipts, invoices, and photographic documentation of improvements made.  

Applicant Name (Print):   _______________________________

Applicant Signature:   _________________________________    Date: __________

Submission Instructions:

Please submit applications to:

Via email:        info@renewportky.com

Via USPS:        ReNewport

  PO Box 41072

  Newport, KY 41071

For additional information or questions, contact us at info@renewportky.com or 859-512-3765.