Local businesses like Royal Gifts and Sweet Frog have utilized available grants in an effort to enhance property and better catch the eyes of customers.
With an application deadline looming, Clinton Sampson Chamber of Commerce executive director Kaitlin Adkins is encouraging businesses who are a part of the chamber to learn more about the opportunity and apply for a matching grant.
According to Adkins, the facade improvement and capital equipment grants are just two ways local businesses can improve not only the appearance of the location, but allow equipment that can grow the customer base to be purchased. Deadline for applications is May 30.
“Our grants are very beneficial,” Adkins said. “When businesses, especially small businesses, are looking to remodel the outside or give it a facelift, as I call it, every little bit helps in accomplishing this and the Chamber is happy to contribute to our members.”
The matching grant for outside improvements is a program designed to assist chamber members with financial support in regards to the outside of their business. In an effort to help beautify the county and give back to the community, Adkins said the chamber is introducing this incentive to all business members
“Businesses that look more appealing to the eye typically get more customers,” Adkins explained. “If you can catch shoppers interest on the outside of your storefront, then the staff can sell their charm once they get inside.”
According to Adkins, the goal of the matching grant for outside improvements is to provide an economic incentive to renovate storefronts for Chamber members and assist in the upkeep and appearance of their business to continue economic growth. Some examples of qualifying for an outside grant are signage, paint, siding, roofing, awnings, hand rails, windows and becoming handicapped accessible.
The second matching grant is designed to assist Chamber members in the purchase of equipment that will increase their customer base and target markets. The goal of the Capital Equipment Incentive is that the addition of the equipment will expand a business, in turn, creating jobs.
For businesses to be eligible for the grant program, they must be an active Chamber member and have been for the last two years and the request must come from the owners or tenants with the owners written permission. Grants are distributed on a 50-50 matching reimbursement basis.
According to Adkins, the reimbursement grant will be funded up to four times a year with a maximum limit of up to $500 each grant, per recipient, per year for a total of $2,000 to four separate chamber members each year.
“If a business owner purchased, or plans to purchase, new signage that could improve the facade of their business that costs $1,200, the Chamber member could apply for the outside improvement grant and if accepted, would receive up to $500 reimbursement grant to use towards the cost of the sign,” Adkins explained. “Each project using grant funds must be complete within 90 days after the grant is funded or within the previous six months.”