Greenville County’s Façade Improvement Grants focuses on areas outside the city limits
Buildings are getting spruced up in Greer, Mauldin, Simpsonville, Fountain Inn and Travelers Rest all thanks to the Façade Improvement Grant Program from The Greenville County Redevelopment Authority.
Different from other city-sponsored façade improvement programs that cover specific commercial corridors in the city of Greenville, this program is limited to the suburbs as grants are not offered in the unincorporated areas of the county nor in Greenville city limits.
So far, 20 businesses have taken advantage of the up to $5,000 in grant funds available. The funds are set aside to finance exterior building improvement to a property owner or tenant’s commercial building that will be aesthetically pleasing and complementary to local design guidelines or concepts acceptable to the respective municipality.
The on-going program starting accepting applications in January 2011 and has given over $93,000 so far to businesses. The program is designed to retain and attract businesses, strengthen the Central Business Districts, increase utilization of downtown buildings, restore economic vitality and enhance property values.
The grant program is done on a reimbursement system and administered on a first-come first-served basis to the limit of available funding and in accordance with each municipality’s appropriated funds for the fiscal year. For 2013, Fountain Inn contributed $10,282, Greer $30148, Mauldin $38628, Simpsonville $32715 and Travelers Rest $6,651.
There is also a revolving loan fund available for small business loans in each municipality and countywide that varies by city.
Trey Eubanks, Mauldin city administrator, said four Mauldin businesses have already used the façade grant program. Palmetto Car Wash, Déjà vu Consignments, Chicora Alley and The Pizza Factory all received grant money to spruce up their exteriors. Another local business that makes chemicals, Texize, was recently awarded a grant.
Many other businesses have been provided information on the program and will hopefully take advantage of it. “The improvements enhance the image of the businesses, and thus the city’s core,” said Eubanks.
