Applications are now open for the City of Santa Rosa’s Small Business Support Program focused on façade improvement, placemaking, and parklet build-out grants in qualifying commercial districts within the city.
Donor Name: City of Santa Rosa
State: California
City: Santa Rosa
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 06/30/2023
Details:
The primary goal of the City of Santa Rosa Small Business Support Program is to encourage economic development and destination awareness of historically under-invested areas by enhancing the exterior appearance and commercial viability of storefront businesses in the City’s commercial districts. Improvements should enhance or restore the physical condition or appearance of a business and/or building, and/or enhance the placemaking of an area. In accordance with the American Rescue Plan Act funding source, the applications are designed to remove barriers and facilitate equitable access to funding for small businesses and property owners that have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
It is anticipated that a typical award will grant up to 70% of the project costs, depending on funding availability and evaluation criteria. Of that, 20% of the award will be available up front for startup costs, and the remaining award will be issued through reimbursement. Business or property owners that are applying to have public art installed will be pared with a public art project manager who will work with the business to design public art on site, such as an exterior mural or mosaic paid for by the City.
General Façade Improvements Include
- Paint
- Signage
- Landscaping
- Exterior lighting
- Security systems
- Awnings/canopies
- Windows, doors, and safety grilles
- Restoration of historical façade features
- Parklet buildouts
- Compliance with the Americans with Disability Act (ADA)
Placemaking Improvements
- Murals or other public art on building or parklet exterior. Participating businesses will be paired with a public art project manager who will work with you to design public art on-site, such as an exterior mural or mosaic, at no cost to you.
Criteria
Eligibility Criteria 2022 – Phase 1 determined by location in the following prioritized areas:
- Roseland commercial areas
- Santa Rosa Avenue/Petaluma Hill Road commercial areas
- Downtown
Impacted Small Business:
- <500 employees
- Experienced decreased revenue or gross receipts during pandemic
- Experienced financial insecurity due to pandemic
- Faced increased costs
- Lack capacity to weather financial hardship due to pandemic
- Challenged with covering payroll, rent or mortgage, and other operating costs during pandemic
For more information, visit Small Business Support Program.
