Tamarac proposes $3 million in incentives to revive commercial plazas and help small businesses

The City of Tamarac is proposing a $3 million economic development incentives package aimed at restoring aging commercial plazas, reimbursing tenant build-outs and distributing microgrants to small businesses, Kenneth Lopez, economic development administrator, told the commission at the May 12 agenda review meeting.

Lopez said the package would be spread across multiple programs: a Commercial Plaza Recovery program, a Small Business Microgrant program, an expanded Commercial Façade Grant program and a Tenant Improvement/Interior Build‑out grant. "The mission of the economic development office is to foster the economic resilience, sustainability and comprehensive revitalization of the City of Tamarac through effective pro‑growth, business friendly development policies and programs," Lopez said.

Why it matters: City staff said many shopping plazas in Tamarac are outdated or out of compliance with code and that targeted incentives could restore properties, attract destination businesses and direct contract work to local minority-, women- and small‑owned firms. The commission will review the formal proposal Wednesday; the presentation on Monday served as an introduction and a public discussion ahead of the commission decision.

Program details presented

Commercial Plaza Recovery: Staff described a program that pairs an initial consultation with plaza owners, a city‑approved timeline and paused fines while the approved remediation plan is implemented. Lopez described a tiered set of incentives: Tier 1 can include fine reductions for completing work on schedule; Tier 2 offers partial reimbursement tied to use of local minority/women‑owned businesses (examples given: 20% local spend reimbursed up to $5,000; full utilization eligible for 50% reimbursement up to $10,000); Tier 3 is an additional $5,000 commercial property improvement grant through Community Development. Lopez said one plaza owner may use the reimbursement once per calendar year per plaza and that the program will not run concurrently with the city's existing commercial façade program.

Small Business Microgrant: The city proposes a microgrant program modeled on Broward County's pilot. Eligible Tamarac businesses with a Tamarac business tax receipt would be able to apply for grants intended to reimburse eligible expenses up to $2,500. The program would prioritize restaurants and firms in target industries identified by Broward County's Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance (including aviation/aerospace, life sciences, logistics and technology) when funds are limited.

Commercial Façade Grant: Staff proposed increasing façade grant awards and described tiered maximum awards by parcel size: up to $350,000 for properties 4 acres or less, $550,000 for 4–9 acres and $750,000 for parcels over 9 acres. Because the program is a 50% reimbursement, Lopez noted a plaza seeking a $350,000 award would be expected to contribute an equivalent amount toward the total project cost.

Tenant Improvement / Interior Build‑out Grant: Lopez described a 1:1 matching reimbursement for permanent interior improvements, with city reimbursement up to $100,000 per project. Eligible improvements include HVAC, plumbing, electrical, ADA and life‑safety upgrades intended to reduce tenant build‑out costs and improve the long‑term marketability of spaces.

Funding and estimated impacts

Lopez presented a proposed allocation for fiscal 2025–2027: $100,000 for Commercial Plaza Recovery (aimed at 10 plazas), $250,000 for the Small Business Microgrant (targeting roughly 100 businesses at $2,500 each), $1,500,000 for expanded façade grants and $1,150,000 for tenant improvement grants. Staff estimated an economic impact in the range of $1.1 million to $1.29 million in local spending returned to Tamarac businesses, though staff cautioned estimates vary with project uptake.

Public questions and staff responses

Several members of the public asked how the $3 million would be funded and whether the funds were grants applied for externally. City staff and the director of financial services said the proposed allocation would come from the city's general fund and that the package is a city‑funded grant program to be administered by municipal staff rather than an externally applied grant. "This grant is not something that we're applying for. This is a grant program that we're preparing for…the city is putting together to give away," the city manager said during public comment responses. Dean Cahus, director of financial services, said a prior economic development reserve had been created and that the 2025 budget replenished the city's economic development reserve.

Concerns and next steps

Public commenters raised questions about eligibility exclusions (for example, businesses that primarily sell alcohol or provide adult entertainment) and urged staff to consider case‑by‑case evaluations. Lopez said the eligibility list was modeled on Broward County's approach and that the city would provide guidance and an online application portal. He also said staff plans to create a Tamarac‑specific vendor directory but will use Broward County's small business directory initially. The commission will receive the formal program and a recommendation at the regular meeting on Wednesday for deliberation and a potential vote.

Ending

Staff emphasized that awards would be subject to funding availability, commission approval and program guidelines. If the commission approves the plan, staff said it will proceed to finalize program rules, launch an online application portal and pursue outreach to plaza owners and local firms.