The City of Utica is offering Business Assistance Funds to eligible projects that enhance and strengthen the Downtown Revitalization Initiative area.
Donor Name: City of Utica
State: New York
City: Utica
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 08/31/2022
Size of the Grant: up to $70,000
Details:
Immediate goals of this investment in the DRI area include streetscape enhancements, historic preservation projects, and increased business and economic activity. Long-range goals include increased property values and property tax revenues, the creation of more job opportunities, the attraction of new businesses and residents to downtown, and ongoing, sustained vibrancy within the downtown neighborhood.
Funding Information
The City of Utica will award up to $70,000 in grant funds per property with a $10,000 match from the applicant. Project funds may be used for all eligible activities as described above, with the opportunity for an additional $25,000 per residential unit constructed or rehabilitated up to a per building maximum of $112,500, with a $7,500 match from the applicant. For COVID-related projects, the minimum request to be considered will be $5,000 with a maximum of $15,000 per property.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants who are eligible for DRI assistance include property and business owners that are:
- Individual
- For-profit entity
- Not-for-profit entity
- Current on property taxes owed to City of Utica, City of Utica School District, and County of Oneida
- Free of open building code violations
- Property/business located within the City of Utica’s DRI designated boundary
- Property is designated commercial or mixed-use (commercial & residential units)
- The applicant is able to finance the entire project and await reimbursement upon project completion.
Eligible Activities
- Purchase permanent commercial business equipment
- Complete interior and exterior building improvements
- Install new signage
Eligible Covid Activities
- Reconfigure existing facilities to encourage reduced density;
- Redesign/install air filtering or ventilation systems;
- Equipment or software required to increase business capacity and efficiency in post-COVID climate, e.g. online sales, POS systems. One-time only purchases, subscriptions or membership fees are not eligible for reimbursement;
- Fixtures and equipment to partition customers, guide social distancing or provide contact-less sales opportunities;
- Interior and exterior improvements to support adjusted business practices, e.g. pick-up windows, outdoor seating areas;
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) *(PPE is considered an incidental expense. Generally, no more than 20% of the request or $5,000, whichever is lower, can be awarded for PPE expenses).
For more information, visit City of Utica.
