FACADE IMPROVEMENT

Overview
Farmville Downtown Partnership is pleased to announce the launch of the 2023-2024 Façade Improvement Grant (FIG) Program, designed to assist business and property owners with the rehabilitation of their commercial facades in Farmville’s historic downtown district.

The goal of the program is to improve the visual impact of buildings downtown and stimulate private investment in the central business district.

Farmville Downtown Partnership is excited to present this matching grant program to help improve the appearance of Farmville’s downtown businesses. It is hoped that by helping fund exterior renovations in the central business district, the draw of Main Street for residents, visitors, and students alike will be enhanced and that others will be encouraged to invest in their businesses and properties for the benefit of the entire community.

Eligibility
To be eligible for the FIG program, you must be located within Farmville Downtown Partnership’s project area.

Appropriate Uses
Eligible grant uses may include but are not limited to:

• Cleaning, prep, and painting of exterior walls and trim

• Cleaning and/or repointing of brick or other masonry

• Replacement of siding materials

• Signage

• Repair or replacement of doors or windows and associated framing • Repair or replacement of awnings, canopies, or shutters

• Lighting

• Repair of cornices and other architectural details

• Repair of gutters and downspouts

• All eligible work must be visible from the public right-of-way

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Ineligible grant uses include:

• Improvements not visible from the public right-of-way

• Interior improvements

• Non-façade exterior improvements (such as roof or foundation repair)

• Improvements to structures outside the Farmville Downtown Partnership project area • Items related to business operations (such as inventory or equipment)

• Property acquisition, new construction, or additions

• Payment of delinquent taxes, outstanding loans, or existing debts

• Projects that do not comply with local Town of Farmville codes and regulations or that have not been properly permitted

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Façade Investment Grant Details
Grants may be awarded for up to $10,000 of the total cost of eligible façade restorations, and repairs. Grants are required to have a 2:1 match up to the maximum grant amount of $10,000.

Match amounts must be in cash or other certified funds; match amounts may not be in the form of owner, applicant, or unskilled labor or “sweat equity.” Grant funds will be disbursed on a reimbursement basis only upon the completion of the project.
The annual budget for this program is $62,000. The Application deadline will be December 31, 2023. Applications will be reviewed and processed after the deadline and the Farmville Downtown Partnership Design Committee will review all applications at the same time and determine grant awards. If funds are still available after the first round, additional applications will be considered on a rolling basis until the allocated funding has been expended.

Applicants are not guaranteed funding until the project has been reviewed by the Design Committee and a Memorandum of Understanding has been signed by both parties.
 

Additional Grant Provisions
Neither Farmville Downtown Partnership staff nor its board members are liable for damage to the building or any personal injury that occurs during the project. All contractors and subcontractors used for work funded by this grant must be licensed and insured if required by law and must be able to demonstrate qualifications.

The successful applicant agrees to maintain the property and its improvements for a period of no less than three years and agrees to return a pro-rated portion of the grant funding if the improvements they funded are removed or altered within that three-year timeframe.

Successful applicants agree to complete the project by September 30, 2024.

With the submittal of an application for a Façade Investment Grant, the applicant permits Farmville Downtown Partnership to notify the media about the award of the grant, which may include photographs of the property and applicant. Applicant agrees to a media story featuring the project and involved persons after the project.
Grant Application Process

• Applicant submits a Façade Improvement Grant application to Farmville Downtown Partnership

• Farmville Downtown Partnership staff will review the application with the applicant and may require additional information before submitting it to the Design Committee for review

• The Design Committee will review the application in a timely fashion and may ask for additional information from the applicant

• The applicant will be made aware of an award and asked to sign a Memorandum of Understanding between the two parties dictating any project stipulations beyond those already articulated in this document

• Necessary permits must be obtained before work begins per local ordinances.

• Before the release of grant funds, the applicant must demonstrate that the project is complete and must submit documentation of all expenses related to the project. Farmville Downtown Partnership reserves the right to inspect the property upon its completion and may require proof that all outstanding accounts and invoices of such completed project are paid in full.