Applications for $250K in Downtown Revitalization Grants Available

Bellone “Extremely Important to Provide Support to Improve Downtowns.” Grant Applications Must Be Submitted by June 14 Deadline

(Hauppauge, NY – April 22, 2013) – County Executive Steven Bellone and the Suffolk County Downtown Revitalization Citizens Advisory Panel today announced that applications for “Round 11” Suffolk County Downtown Revitalization Grants are available.  A pool of $250,000 is available for partial funding of capital projects located in or adjacent to downtown areas on municipally-owned property. 

Applicants must be organizations that represent a downtown area and who partner with their local municipality.  Organizations that represent downtown areas including business improvement districts, chambers of commerce, civic associations, historical societies, beautification societies, and local development corporations.  Towns or villages who partner with a community organization are required to pass resolutions supporting the project on which the two entities partner.  Projects must be capital in nature and have a significant and sustainable impact that enhances economic activity. 

“Providing grant funding through this program encourages local organizations to partner with their  municipality and find ways to enhance public lands, improve the vitality of business districts, and contribute to walkable communities and bustling downtowns,” said Bellone. 

Among the kinds of projects that are eligible for grants are:

·         Public Parking Facilities

·         Curb and sidewalk construction

·         Pedestrian walkways

·         Street lighting

·         Public Restrooms

·         Disabled accessibility

·         Renovations to existing structures

·         Cultural facilities

The Downtown Revitalization Citizens Advisory Panel utilizes a point system to evaluate each application to ensure projects that receive funding will make the greatest contribution to the long-term improvement of local downtown business districts and have a positive economic impact on Suffolk County as a whole.

Instructions and applications can be found at:

Instructions link:

http://www.suffolkcountyny.gov/Portals/0/INSTRUCTIONS.pdf

Application link:

http://www.suffolkcountyny.gov/Portals/0/Downtown%20Grant%20APPLICATION.pdf

Applications are due by the 4:00PM on June 14, 2013.

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