Agenda Packets - 2022/09/06 - Laserfiche WebLink

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1Critical Corridors Commercial Corridor Initiative Grant Guidelines Purpose The Commercial Corridor Initiative Grant supports Ramsey County’s suburban small business economy by investing in pathways to BIPOC entrepreneurship and in thriving main streets and business districts. Eligible Applicants Suburban cities and associated development authorities. Eligible Activities • Business recruitment activities. • Establishment of small-business incubators. • District-wide marketing, branding, and/or promotion initiatives, including initiatives that are in response to impacts from large-scale public infrastructure projects. • District-wide planning and design. • Design and/or implementation of wayfinding, street furniture or other public realm enhancements • Building facade improvements. • Technical assistance for commercial corridor initiatives or individual businesses. Includes but not limited to: special service district or business- association establishment; financial, legal, or tax- related services; merchandising, marketing, and social media assistance. Ineligible Activities • Redevelopment feasibility or market analyses. • Land use plans (small area plans, corridor plans, and/or station area plans). • Land use/zoning studies. • Parking lot improvements. • Activities for sites without public frontage. • Activities that benefit a single business. Funding Maximum anticipated award is $50,000, per project. Projects must be completed by December 31, 2023. Activities completed prior to grant award are not eligible for reimbursement. Strategic and Selection Priorities • Suburban Ramsey County – priority commercial corridors as defined by cities. • Activities directed to improving conditions for job creation and BIPOC entrepreneurship. • Actions directed to improving coordination among businesses. • Actions that improve sense of place and/or pedestrian access within important commercial corridors. • Actions that show a strong connection to the Ramsey County Economic Competitiveness & Inclusion Plan (I.e., creation of small business incubators). • Demonstrated need for financial assistance. • Organizational capacity and plan to accomplish project objectives. • Support from businesses and property owners • For façade improvement projects: o How the initiative would be administered, including a description of the process and criteria for sub-awarding funds. o Timing of grant disbursement to complete façade improvements. o Leverage requirements, and o Proof of landlord approval and that business is current on property taxes. Critical Corridors Commercial Corridor Initiative Grant Guidelines