Ferguson unveils four EDST programs to rehabilitate housing, aid small businesses and fund scholarships

Ferguson City staff and members of the Economic Development Sales Tax (EDST) commission presented four draft grant and incentive programs at the May 13 Ferguson City Council meeting designed to rehabilitate vacant properties, seed small-business improvements, help disaster-affected businesses and subsidize college study for Ferguson residents.

The programs — combined under the EDST umbrella — are designed to redeploy city-owned or post‑third properties, reduce hurdles to rehabilitation, and deliver targeted grants: a Roots to Roofs housing rehabilitation program, a Ferguson Leadership Scholarship, a Revive storefront grant, and a Disaster Recovery grant. City staff said each draft includes safeguards and administrative controls and will return to EDST and council for formal approval.

City economic development staff presented Roots to Roofs as a consolidation of prior adjacent‑lot and property‑restoration efforts. Staff said the program would use post‑third properties the city acquires, provide clear title on properties acquired directly by the city, waive construction permit and inspection fees, require work to begin within 12 months of approval, and defer repayment for 12…