$1M Available in Facade Grants by SLDC
Date Posted: August 16, 2018
Posted In: News, Projects,
From NextSTL: The City of St. Louis recently announced $1,000,000 available in grants to incentivize improvements through the new and improved facade grant program. The forgivable loans can provide up to $20,000 to eligible business and property owners in an effort to increase development in otherwise disinvested neighborhoods.
These grants are offered through the Neighborhood Commercial District Improvement (NCDI) Program, which is administered by the St. Louis Development Corporation (SLDC), and federally funded by the Community Development Block Grants Program (CDBG) through the US Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD). Projects may tackle everything from small-scale signage and exterior lighting upgrades to large-scale accessibility modifications and storefront overhauls.
Funding is available annually, although the amount each year may vary; and while the program itself is not new, the application process is. The SLDC’s Request for Proposals was created in an effort to focus improvement dollars in localized areas. “We want to be intentional about where these dollars go”, says Leonard Johnson, Director of Neighborhood Development for SLDC. “The new process will help the selection be as equitable, fair, and inclusive as possible.” The program in past years has resulted in many improvements scattered across the entire City; this year, Leonard hopes that renovations across contiguous stretches will be made possible.