Committee votes to renew downtown facade grant, removes five-year waiting requirement

The New London Economic Development Committee voted to forward a plan to City Council to replenish the downtown facade improvement grant at $40,000, drop the five‑year waiting period between awards, and add language prioritizing applicants who have not previously received the grant.

City Administrator Chad reported the program’s 2024 performance, saying, “the committee budgeted for about $40,000 for the program,” and that reimbursements paid totaled $15,570.25 after five projects completed their reimbursement paperwork. Chad added that total private investment alongside the reimbursements equaled $29,040.50.

The nut graf: Committee members said the program encourages downtown improvements and recommended keeping the fund open to recurring applicants because the committee has not exhausted the budget in recent years.

Committee discussion focused on three main questions: whether to keep or remove the five‑year eligibility restriction for prior recipients, whether to change the per‑project maximum grant amount, and how to prioritize applicants if demand exceeds available funding. John, a committee member, moved to replenish the program to $40,000, remove the time limitation and add verbiage giving priority to applicants who had not previously received a grant; April seconded the motion.

Supporters said loosening the wait period could encourage more investment. One committee member observed that increasing the maximum once (from $2,000 to $4,000) previously led to more interest. Members also discussed an initial application deadline (previously end of March), an initial ranking process if demand exceeds supply, and reserving leftover funds for first‑come, first‑served reimbursements after the initial round.

Committee members asked for clarity on the eligible geographic area; Chad noted the eligible downtown district map was expanded in September 2021 and that eligibility is detailed in the application packet. Chad also said the New London Community Fund may have different specifications and likely will be limited to nonprofit entities, but he had not yet received final guidance from that fund.

Action: The motion to replenish the downtown facade improvement grant to $40,000, remove the five‑year wait period, and add priority language for previous non‑recipients was made by John and seconded by April. The motion passed and will be forwarded to council for consideration. The record shows three committee members abstained (Abend, Tim and Bill). The committee indicated it will advertise an application due date around the end of March, with flexibility to extend if needed.

Background: Eligible activities in the downtown facade grant include facade renovations, signage, awnings, structural repairs, exterior building infrastructure (plumbing, electrical, roofing), exterior lighting and leaseholder improvements. Chad said the committee has not recently exhausted the annual budget for the program and that the economic development reserve fund is replenished from leftover budget authority and council designations.

The committee agreed to return the updated grant language to the next meeting for final review before it goes to council.