Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Economic Resilience Small Business topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
City tweaks downtown partnership grant to prioritize resiliency upgrades for small businesses
Summary
The commission approved a one‑time modification of the downtown partnership grant to prioritize facade, drainage, flood‑proofing and other resiliency improvements, widening eligibility for interior renovations and allowing higher caps for storm‑related repairs.
The Safety Harbor City Commission authorized a modified downtown partnership grant cycle on Jan. 21 that will focus spring 2025 awards on business resiliency projects — including facade strengthening, improved drainage, stormproofing and limited interior renovations for storm damage — using remaining downtown grant funds.
Community Development staff said approximately $45,000 remained in the current fiscal year downtown partnership grant budget and proposed narrowing the spring grant categories to incentivize investments that reduce businesses’ vulnerability to storms and flooding. Eligible categories will include: facade improvements (50% reimbursement, cap suggested), signage (existing category), hardscape/landscape drainage improvements, and interior renovations where work is capitalized (e.g., fixed floodproofing) or electric upgrades needed to accommodate a permanently installed generator.
Staff recommended raising the previous per‑year interior renovation cap because the fall 2024 cycle had reached the program’s $45,000 interior limit. The proposed spring cycle is a one‑time resiliency emphasis; normal categories will resume in the fall cycle. Representatives of the Safety Harbor Chamber indicated support for the resiliency emphasis after staff outreach to downtown businesses.
The commission approved the modification 5‑0 and directed staff to open the spring 2025 grant cycle around Feb. 1 for 60 days, with intake and award rules to be posted on the city website.
Ending: Staff will publish the revised application and scoring criteria, accept applications for the defined period and report back on awards and remaining funds after the cycle closes.
