Main Street Challenge Grant offers up to $75,000

To The Press

Commercial building owners in the Charles City downtown district are eligible to apply for up to $75,000 in grant assistance to be awarded this year for bricks and mortar projects through the 2019 Main Street Challenge Grant program.

Main Street Iowa and the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) have announced the availability of $925,000 in funding, which will be awarded to selected project applications from Main Street Iowa programs.

Community Revitalization in Charles City is one of 53 Main Street Iowa communities in the state.

Each program is limited to one Challenge Grant application for consideration, so if more than one local application is submitted the Business Improvement Committee of Community Revitalization will review and select the one it feels is the most competitive.

Applications will be judged on project impact within the designated downtown district, design appropriateness, innovation and utilization of the Iowa Green Streets Criteria.

The primary goals of the Challenge Grant program are to stimulate appropriate building rehab of significant commercial historic buildings in Main Street districts; stimulate appropriate infill development in downtown districts; create a positive climate for additional public and private investment; support local revitalization efforts; and create additional jobs and business growth.

In particular, Main Street Iowa is hoping the grant assistance will help with quality historic property rehabilitation, creating downtown housing – particularly upper floor housing, or help create unique business locations.

Eligible projects can include, but are not limited to:

• Facade improvements (front, rear and side).

• Upper floor interior rehabilitation.

• Structural repairs/improvements.

• Code compliance.

• First floor interior rehabilitation.

• Energy efficiency/sustainability improvements.

• Single specific phase of a large rehab. The project must have a specific defined focus and clearly identifiable scope of work including start/end dates and milestones for completion.

• Compatible new construction including building additions with first floor commercial and upper floor commercial or residential within the designated Main Street district.

Multiple properties committed to a mutually agreed upon improvement or series of improvements located within the designated Main Street district are also eligible to apply.

Grants are a dollar-for-dollar match, with a maximum award of $75,000 possible and a minimum or no less than $15,000.

The grantee must show community support for the project as evidenced by the local contribution effort, as well as provide requested financial information to show the local match requirement is being satisfied. No previous expenditures of any kind will be considered as suitable cash match for a project.

Approved projects must be completed within 24 months of the grant award.

The local deadline for submitting Challenge Grant applications to the Community Revitalization office is 4 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 6.

For more information, contact Mark Wicks at Community Revitalization, 401 N. Main St. in Charles City, phone 641-228-2335 or email mark@charlescitychamber.com.