The City of Raleigh is rolling out an olive branch to local small business owners with the launch of two grant programs aimed at sprucing up commercial spaces and rejuvenating the local economy. Specifically, these initiatives offer financial assistance for both interior and exterior upgrades to commercial properties.
According to the City of Raleigh's announcement, the Building Up-fit Grant program provides funds to help reinvigorate vacant or underutilized commercial building spaces. To activate new business use and jobs in Raleigh, the grant offers a 1:1 match reimbursement up to $15,000 or $25,000, based on the qualified expenses. Eligible improvements laid out by the city include a variety of interior work, such as mechanical, electrical, and plumbing build-outs, installation of fire suppression systems, new flooring, lighting, and even the construction of new walls or the demolition of old ones. However, residential properties and exterior projects fall outside the eligibility boundaries of this grant.
Parallel to this, the Façade Rehabilitation Grant aims to help businesses and property owners give their building exteriors a face-lift with matching reimbursement grants of up to $10,000. The program covers a range of exterior improvements, including the removal of outdated false fronts, refurbishment of windows, doors, and cornices, as well as repairs to existing façade materials and enhancements like exterior lighting or a coat of paint when part of larger rehabilitation efforts. This boost to the outer aesthetics of commercial buildings is anticipated to contribute to the city's goal of fostering an appealing and economically vibrant community.
For those interested in taking advantage of the funding, the city has detailed guidance and application procedures available on its website. Local business owners who are considering applying could see their storefronts getting a new lease on life – along with the possibility of contributing to a broader economic revitalization of their urban surroundings.
