Business Improvement Grant Program

The Gainesville Community Reinvestment Area, a department of the City of Gainesville, administers the Business Improvement Grant Program to encourage private investment in underserved areas within the GCRA district. The program assists eligible building and business owners with facade improvements and approved permanent interior improvements. Its stated objectives include enhancing corridor aesthetics, improving pedestrian comfort and public safety, reactivating existing building stock, and extending the economic life of buildings. Eligible buildings must be located within the Business Improvement Grant boundary. The program is part of the reinvestment objectives identified in the GCRA 10-Year Reinvestment Plan. Eligible exterior improvements generally must be visible from an associated Transit Corridor and may include signs, awnings and canopies, storefront facade work, appropriate walls, fencing and landscaping, removal of old facade coverings, removal of outdated security features, restoration of original decorative building elements, increased glazing, and other approved work. Eligible permanent interior work may include electrical panel and wiring upgrades, HVAC upgrades, plumbing upgrades, structural repairs, ADA improvements, and other permanent improvements that the GCRA determines will extend the economic life of a structure. Architectural and engineering fees may be reimbursed up to 10 percent of the Project amount when associated with an approved grant. Maintenance activities, temporary features, noncompliant improvements, sandblasting, and interior work that does not extend the economic life of the building are generally ineligible. Funding is organized into three tiers. Tier 1 provides up to $5,000 at 100 percent reimbursement and is available throughout the year until its allocated funding is exhausted. Tier 2 provides a 50 percent matching grant of up to $50,000. Tier 3, for qualifying individually designated historic buildings, provides a 50 percent matching grant of up to $150,000. Tier 2 and Tier 3 applications compete through application cycles and are ranked according to the program Decision Matrix and available funding. Applicants generally must pay the full Project cost before reimbursement. For Tier 2 and Tier 3, the GCRA reimbursement is limited to a maximum of 50 percent of documented eligible Project costs up to the approved grant amount. Sweat equity is not an acceptable match. The applicant match must consist of the cash value of goods and services used for allowable improvements. Eligible applicants include qualifying building and business owners, including nonprofits, for buildings within the program boundary. Residential and governmental facilities are not eligible, although private businesses operating as tenants in governmental facilities may participate. Buildings constructed within the previous fifteen years are ineligible. Businesses generally must be current with City of Gainesville business tax requirements, and properties with judgment liens, code violations, or delinquent mortgage or tax obligations are ineligible, subject to the stated exception for code violations inherited when a building was purchased. Applicants who do not own the building and property must obtain written owner consent. Projects must receive required City permits and GCRA approval before work begins, except for qualifying architectural and engineering work. Approved projects must start within 60 days and be completed within 18 months unless the GCRA approves an extension. Applicants are instructed to attend a pre-application workshop or contact the GCRA to discuss the program, eligibility requirements, and application, although the application materials state that workshop or training participation is highly suggested rather than mandatory. Applications may be submitted by email, mail, or in person. Required materials include the completed application, proof of building ownership, applicable business tax documentation, notarized owner consent when the applicant is not the owner, exterior and applicable interior photographs, sketches or digital illustrations of proposed improvements, at least two comparable cost estimates from different sources or three when the applicant is a general contractor bidding on the work, the selected contractor's general liability insurance certificate and license, and a work schedule. The application also requests detailed narratives concerning the proposed work, its Downtown impact, customer attraction, code deficiencies, ADA access, sustainability, historic status and restoration, tenant attraction or retention, job creation, grant need, and anticipated completion period. GCRA staff conduct an initial completeness review within 30 days. Tier 1 requires at least 17 points from the Objective portion of the Decision Matrix and is reviewed administratively, subject to final approval by the City Manager or designee. Tier 2 requires at least 18 combined Objective and Subjective points, while Tier 3 requires at least 25 combined points and additional historic preservation review. Tier 2 and Tier 3 applications are ranked within their application window, and funding is awarded in descending ranking order subject to available funds. Requests greater than $100,000 require City Commission final review and approval. Following approval, the applicant executes a Business Improvement Grant Program Agreement before beginning work. After completion, required documentation, receipts, the Certificate of Completion, inspection requirements, and the applicable Improvement Preservation Easement or Mortgage must be completed before reimbursement. Approved reimbursement is paid within 30 days after the required Easement or Mortgage is filed. Tier 1 applications are accepted continuously on a first come, first served basis while funding remains available. Tier 2 and Tier 3 have two recurring application deadlines each year: February 1 at 5 p.m. and August 1 at 5 p.m.; when a deadline falls on a weekend or holiday, the deadline moves to the next business day at 5 p.m. The February cycle is followed by a March Downtown Advisory Board meeting, notification by the end of March, and agreement execution during March or April. The August cycle is followed by a September board meeting, notification by the end of September, and agreement execution during September or October. The Project period is 18 months from agreement execution. Program questions may be directed to the GCRA at 352-393-8200 or DG_GCRAPrograms@gainesvillefl.gov, while completed applications are directed to GCRAprograms@gainesvillefl.gov.

Confirm the property is inside the program boundary before applying; align narratives directly with Objective and Subjective Decision Matrix criteria; provide complete applications because incomplete submissions are returned and submissions within five days of a deadline may not receive time for clarification; make contractor estimates comparable and detailed enough to separate eligible and ineligible work; remember reimbursement cannot exceed the lowest qualifying cost estimate; do not begin project work before required permits and GCRA approval; Tier 2 and Tier 3 applicants should clearly substantiate Downtown impact, customer attraction, grant need, curb appeal, and leasing benefits because these are directly scored.