CRA schedules Feb. 4 grants workshop to align programs with overall strategy

City staff scheduled a Newtown CRA grants workshop for Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025, at 3:30 p.m. at SRQ Media Studios to review existing programs, examine new grant proposals and discuss an overarching strategy for how the grant programs support CRA goals.

Why it matters: The workshop is intended to ensure eligibility criteria and program design work together to achieve measurable outcomes for redevelopment, rather than operating as discrete, inconsistent programs.

Rochelle Gallant, business relations coordinator, told the board staff will provide recommended frameworks and best practices from other Florida CRAs and municipalities, but also wants board members to bring ideas. Gallant said the workshop will give the board an opportunity to review grant eligibility, consistency across programs and return-on-investment metrics. Staff clarified that the workshop is for discussion only; the board cannot vote on actions during the workshop. Any program changes or approvals would be scheduled for a subsequent regular meeting; staff indicated March as the likely meeting for formal action.

Staff said applicants will be informed that program awards are contingent on the City of Sarasota’s adopted budget. For the nonprofit grant program, staff said they could relaunch the application process quickly if the board agrees to repeat last year’s structure; the public announcement could follow the Feb. 4 workshop and would be timed to allow regular meeting action in March if needed.

The board requested materials in advance; staff said it would distribute documentation the week before the workshop to give members time to prepare.