The Patrick County Economic Develop Authority (EDA) approved its façade grant program on May 25, and commercial property owners may begin the application process July 1.
Sean Adkins, director, said the grant funds will be used to renovate storefronts on commercial properties in the county’s Enterprise Zone, which encompasses more than 3,000 acres, primarily in Woolwine, Meadows of Dan, and Stuart.
Businesses approved for the grant are eligible for reimbursement of up to 50 percent, up to $5,000, of all eligible costs of façade renovations.
“It’s really designed to improve the economic vibrancy of the Enterprise Zone, downtown, and uptown areas,” Adkins said of the program.
The EDA is earmarking $25,000 for the grant program, and applications will be approved on a first come, first serve basis.
“So, if the funding gets used up, then” projects that were not funded “can be on the list for when funding is available again,” Adkins said. “There’s already a lot of interest. I’ve gotten a lot of phone calls” about the program.
Once an application is completed, business owners may drop it off in person to Adkins at least two weeks before the next EDA meeting.
“Each facade grant has to be presented to the EDA (board), and they have to approve each grant before anybody can even start work,” he said.
He noted the board’s approval would be based on eligible and ineligible costs.
“They’re not approving a design or rejecting a design. That’s not what this is about,” he said.
Adkins added this process also gives the EDA a chance to see what is going on in the community and hear about the projects and businesses.
To be considered for a grant, businesses must complete and sign an application form (by owner of record) and return it to the Patrick County Economic Development office before work on the project begins.
Exceptions may be granted in some cases, according to Adkins.
The EDA Board will review and approve or disapprove applications at its next regularly scheduled meeting. The board meets on the fourth Wednesday of each month.
The filing requirements, in part, specify the applicant, or representative, must attend the EDA meeting to provide an overview or presentation of the proposed project and to answer any questions. The EDA may require further descriptions, plans, sketches (etc.) of the project before making a final decision. Only one façade grant per storefront may be sought.
For a full list of the requirements or more information, call Adkins at (276) 692-4490 or email sadkins@co.patrick.va.us. To download a digital copy of the façade grant application, go to www.co.patrick.va.us.