The Panama City Community Redevelopment Agency presented proposed guidelines for a Millville commercial property improvement grant program for fiscal year 2026 intended to address visible signs of blight and underinvestment along the US 98/E. 5th Street corridor.

Staff described the program as aligned with the Millville CRA plan’s priorities for reinvestment, beautification and blight reduction. The proposal offers up to 10 exterior commercial property improvement grants of up to $15,000 each, for a total program allocation of $150,000; staff said the board had already approved the $150,000 allocation in the FY26 Millville CRA budget. “To address these challenges, the Millville CRA has developed a commercial property, improvement grant program to help commercial property owners and tenants make exterior improvements that enhance the building appearance, support maintenance, and strengthen the corridor’s overall character,” staff said.

Board members praised the flexibility of implementation options and asked whether landscape and beautification were eligible uses. Staff confirmed flexibility and creative implementation options, and board members encouraged public awareness of the program and use of waterfront park assets to draw activity to the corridor. The discussion concluded with board support for the guidelines; the transcript does not capture an explicit roll-call tally in the excerpt provided but indicates the matter advanced as presented in the meeting packet.