Building Improvement Grants in the City of Waynesboro Virginia

Q: Façade Improvement Grants

The Façade Improvement Grants are reimbursement grants, available for 50% of the total project cost, up to a maximum of $5,000. An applicant may apply for reimbursement for more than one facade when buildings front on more than one street. However, based on the annual allocation, funds remaining in current budget, other pending applications, and/or other circumstances, the EDA reserves the right to only reimburse for one façade facing or one landscape facing per fiscal year. Projects of this magnitude should be discussed with the Director of Economic Development prior to submission. Qualified Applicant: Any owner or tenant with owners written permission of a property located in the Enterprise Sub-Zone. Qualified Areas: The Enterprise Sub-Zone includes the Central Business District and Rockfish Gateway areas. See map or contact the Economic Development office with questions. Qualified Improvements: External improvement to the property façade, such as painting, including walls, windows, doors, awnings, lighting, and signage. This includes installations, significant repairs that are part of a larger improvement project, replacements, and cleaning and repointing of masonry. Improvement Standards: All façade improvements must be done in accordance with local code. The EDA must approve any changes necessitated while the project is under construction prior to installation. Property owners are responsible for obtaining building and/or sign permits where applicable.

Building Improvement grants

The Building Improvement Grant is an annual, competitive, reimbursable grant available for businesses in the downtown and East Main Street qualifying area to make improvements to the front of their buildings. Based on the annual appropriation from City Council, the grant program is typically announced in July, with applications generally due in August. Applications are reviewed and scored, with grantees typically announced in September. If funding remains available after the initial application period, applications may continue to be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis until available funds are exhausted. Please contact the Economic Development office prior to completing the application. There are two categories of eligible improvements: façade and landscaping.

Downloads

The Façade Improvement Grants are reimbursement grants, available for 50% of the total project cost, up to a maximum of $5,000. An applicant may apply for reimbursement for more than one facade when buildings front on more than one street. However, based on the annual allocation, funds remaining in current budget, other pending applications, and/or other circumstances, the EDA reserves the right to only reimburse for one façade facing or one landscape facing per fiscal year. Projects of this magnitude should be discussed with the Director of Economic Development prior to submission.

Qualified Applicant: Any owner or tenant with owners written permission of a property located in the Enterprise Sub-Zone.

Qualified Areas: The Enterprise Sub-Zone includes the Central Business District and Rockfish Gateway areas. See map or contact the Economic Development office with questions.

Qualified Improvements: External improvement to the property façade, such as painting, including walls, windows, doors, awnings, lighting, and signage. This includes installations, significant repairs that are part of a larger improvement project, replacements, and cleaning and repointing of masonry.

Improvement Standards: All façade improvements must be done in accordance with local code. The EDA must approve any changes necessitated while the project is under construction prior to installation. Property owners are responsible for obtaining building and/or sign permits where applicable.

The Landscaping Improvement Grants are reimbursement grants, available for up to 50% of the total project cost, up to a maximum of $4,000. Qualifying improvements include landscaping and sidewalk improvement costs. Applications may include improvements to all sides of the property that are located within the Enterprise Zone and are generally required to exceed the minimum requirements of the City’s landscaping ordinance or site development review to qualify.

Qualified Applicant: Any owner or tenant with owners written permission of a property located in the Enterprise Sub-Zone.

Qualified Areas: The Enterprise Sub-Zone includes the Central Business District and Rockfish Gateway areas. See map or contact the Economic Development office with questions.

Qualified Improvements: Any external improvement to sidewalks and landscaping, including installation of new sidewalks, replacement of existing sidewalk, installation of handicap ramps, planting of trees and permanent landscaping fixtures, movable landscaping pots/baskets, and any additional amenities related to landscaping, such as landscaping boulders, grates, curbing, pavers, screening and/or irrigation. The EDA reserves the right to fund only the portion of projects that exceed the minimum development standards of the City.

Improvement Standards: All sidewalk and landscaping improvements must be done in accordance with local code. The EDA must approve any changes necessitated while the project is under construction prior to installation. Property owners are responsible for obtaining building and/or sign permits where applicable. Proposed landscaping shall be native to Virginia. A means of irrigation must be provided to assure adequate plant establishment and/or plant hydration needs. As consideration of landscaping grant approval, the property owner/tenant shall be responsible for, and hereby agrees to, the maintenance and long-term care of the approved improvements.

To complete your application, first contact the Economic Development Office to confirm funding availability. Once funding is confirmed, gather the required documents and complete your application. After submitting, e-mail to confirm your application has been received.

Building Improvement Grant Application

"*" indicates required fields

Identification of Building

Building Name

Building Street Address*

Street Address

Tax Map Number*

Parcel Number*

Is the building is located in the enterprise sub zone:*

Yes

Applicant Information

Applicant Name*

First Last

Do you own the building?*

Are you a tenant in the building?*

Email*

Phone Number*

Best number to reach you during the day.

Mailing Address*

Street Address Address Line 2 City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code Country

Preferred Communication:*

Phone

Text

Landlord Name*

First Last

If selected for grant, we will need written landlord approval.

Landlord Mailing Address

Street Address Address Line 2 City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code Country

Landlord Email*

Business Description

Name of Business*

Are you an existing business or looking to start a new business?*

Existing Business (Please complete all remaining questions)

New Business (Please write N/A to any of the next questions that do not apply)

Waynesboro Business License Number*

Is your business located within the city limits of Waynesboro?*

Yes

Is the business address a physical location that receives customers?*

Yes

Are your City of Waynesboro taxes and fees current?*

Yes

When was your business established?*

How many full-time employees (including yourself) do you employ?*

If you were to receive this façade grant, would your amount of full-time employees change and if so by how many?*

How long have you been the owner of the business? (in years)*

If your business is in leased space, when does the current lease expire?

What is the gross square footage of your location?*

How is your business organized?

For Profit

Nonprofit

Limited Liability

Sole Proprietor

Joint venture

Corporation

What is your primary industry sector?*

For reporting classification purposes only, please check all that apply:

Women Owned

Immigrant Owned

Veteran Owned

Minority Owned

Project Description

What is the building currently being used for?*

Is there a planned different use for the building?*

Do you have a vision for the façade?*

Have you previously contacted any design professionals (architect, engineer) for any assistance for the façade? If so, can you provide any drawings, reports, or suggestions?*

Provide a Brief Description of Improvement Project:*

Why should we consider your application for a facade grant?*

This is your opportunity to be persuasive and tell us why this project is important.

Do you have any Historic Photographs of your building?*

Yes

Type of Improvement (Check all that apply):*

Exterior

Sign

Paint

Awning(s)

Other (specify)

Other:

What do you estimate is the total cost for your project?*

Please provide quotes for cost estimate(s) as an attachment below.

Additional Attachments Required

To complete your application, please provide the following additional documents. You may attach using the upload forms below OR email attachments to OR mail / hand deliver to 301 W. Main Street, Waynesboro, VA 22980. Applications will not be reviewed until all documentation has been received.

Cost estimate(s) from a licensed contractor (more than one is preferred)*

Max. file size: 128 MB.

Color photo of existing building*

Max. file size: 128 MB.

A complete façade design plan or rendering

Max. file size: 128 MB.

Sample of proposed material colors (paint chip, awning materials, etc.)

Max. file size: 128 MB.

Property owner’s written approval (if applicable)

Max. file size: 128 MB.

Building Improvement grants

Downloads

Building Improvement Grant Application

Identification of Building

Applicant Information

Business Description

Project Description

Additional Attachments Required

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