The Orlando Community Redevelopment Agency and advisory boards approved a package of downtown incentives on Sept. 22, including a façade grant, a job-retention incentive and a neighborhood funding agreement.

David (CRA staff) told the CRA that the Waverly building on Lake Eola is scheduled for exterior improvements totaling over $800,000; the CRA board approved a $100,000 façade grant after the project was recommended by the façade review committee. “They do qualify for a $100,000 in assistance, from our CRA façade grant,” the presenter said.

In a separate downtown incentive, the CRA approved a high-wage, high-value job agreement for ECS Florida LLC, an engineering and geotechnical firm relocating its regional headquarters to 150 North Orange (the Fulcrum Building). David reported the company will relocate 51 employees immediately and plans to grow by 27 employees over several years; the CRA incentive is $117,000 paid over a six-year period as the program allows.

Commissioner Rose commented that staff should connect the company with local colleges such as FAMU and UCF to build hiring pipelines for area students.

The Neighborhood Improvement District board approved a $30,000 reimbursable funding agreement with So to Main Street to support district events.

Why it matters: The actions aim to support downtown building rehabilitation, attract higher-wage jobs to the central business district and provide neighborhood-level event funding to sustain business districts and local commerce.

Votes and procedure: Each item was moved and seconded on the CRA/NID agendas and approved by vote as recorded: Waverly façade grant (motion by Commissioner Sheehan, second by Commissioner Rose; motion carried), ECS Florida incentive (motion by Commissioner Rose, second by Commissioner Sheehan; motion carried), and NID funding agreement (motion by Commissioner Sheehan, second by Commissioner Stewart; motion carried).

Next steps: The ECS incentive will be paid as jobs are retained or created over the incentive period and the façade grant will be administered per the CRA’s usual reimbursement procedures. Staff noted they are available to answer follow-up questions about program requirements and timelines.