Sean C. Morgan
The Sweet Home Economic Development Group has more than doubled the money available for exterior improvement grants this year.
The Commercial Exterior Improvement Program is funded by SHEDG and managed by the Sweet Home Active Revitalization Effort’s Planning Committee.
Last year, the program provided $17,000 to local businesses for exterior improvements. SHEDG is providing $40,000 through the program this year.
“We have streamlined the grant application process,” said Brian Hoffman, Economic Development Director. The new application is three pages and includes a “frequently asked questions” section, and it now has a checklist of requirements that come into play during the application process.
The program was created to encourage larger investments in improving the curb appeal of downtown businesses. It does not require repayment or matching funds.
Businesses located in any commercial zone in the city of Sweet Home are eligible.
Completed applications are submitted to the SHARE Planning Committee at its regular meetings for design approval.
Grants are made on a first-come, first-served basis. Projects must be completed within three months of SHARE Planning Committee approval.
Funds are disbursed after completion of the project.
A business may receive up to $500, though current Chamber of Commerce members may receive an additional $500. Grants above $1,000 may be made on a case-by-case basis, but are subject to a maximum of $5,000 and may not exceed 10 percent of a total project.
For planters, landscaping and parking lots, SHARE will provide a maximum of 75 percent of the funding for a project up to the limits of $500 and $1,000.
Staff members will work more closely with property owners this year to identify barriers to getting projects under way and help them find economic development tools, Hoffman said. “Ultimately, we want to drive larger projects, identify barriers and get greater investment.”
One of those barriers is often simply getting people’s ideas onto paper, he said, and SHARE can help.
“Ultimately, it’s less about the grant and more about the process of doing and how we’re going to get investment downtown,” Hoffman said. “We’re looking to add more services. It’s more than a check.
“I think the CEIP program’s a great tool for economic development in Sweet Home, encouraging investment in the city of Sweet Home.”
On the investment side, last year, the program disbursed $17,000, Hoffman said, but building owners added much more out of their own pockets, some $78,000.
Future goals for the program include improvement of marketing for the program, assistance in building design and the potential for low-interest or no-interest loan funds, Hoffman said.
For more information, call (541) 367-3061. Applications are available at 1331B Main St., upstairs and across the hall from Steven Hanscam, CPA, at the Chamber of Commerce or by e-mail. It also may be found on the city’s Web site under the tab for SHARE. The Planning Committee meets on the third Wednesday of each month.