UEA approves downtown business grant request for property at 607 Jefferson; application asked for two years of funding

The La Porte City Urban Enterprise Association voted June 18 to approve a business grant application for a downtown property at 607 Jefferson, an application filed for exterior renovations to accommodate a law office.

Board members discussed the application’s size and funding mechanics. The application lists a total project cost of $60,440 and the applicant listed $20,000 under “total grant amount requested.” Board staff noted UEA rule limits grant reimbursement to 50% of the total project amount not to exceed $10,000; board members discussed treating the request as two years of funding with the applicant agreeing not to reapply in the following year.

Mary Anne (staff member) told the board the applicant had supplied two contractor quotes, one from 1 Source Remodeling and the other from Larson Danielson; Larson Danielson was the lower quote. Board members said they prefer to collect three local quotes when possible but acknowledged contractors are often difficult to secure and that many applicants submit only one or two bids. The board approved the grant application by voice vote; staff said award letters in similar multi-year approvals typically note that the recipient will be ineligible to apply the following year.

The board also noted the building has been vacant downstairs for several years and that the project would bring active commercial space to the block. The applicant and contractor details were included in the packet; board members concluded the proposed renovation would be an enhancement to the downtown streetscape.

The transcript does not contain the exact award amount recorded by the board at the vote. Staff is expected to follow the association’s grant policy in drafting the award letter and final reimbursement terms.