Mayor Galime Announces Façade Improvement Grant Funding Available for Businesses in Targeted Areas of Utica
UTICA, NY – Mayor Michael P. Galime announced that a new Façade Improvement Program is available for businesses located in specific areas of the city. Up to $20,000 in grant funds are available to businesses that are interested in making improvements such as new signage and lighting or new windows or doors. Applications for this first round of funding are due to the City’s Department of Urban & Economic Development by 4:00 PM on Friday, July 10th.
The grant require that businesses pledge a minimum of 25% of the grant with their own funds. Additionally, the businesses must be located within non-residentially zoned districts within the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Target Area; the CDBG Target Area is an area where more than 50% of the families that reside within that area have an income at or below 80% of the area median income. A map of the targeted areas along with the application and the program description is available on the City’s website at:
https://cityofutica.com/departments/urban-and-economic-development/business/facade-program/index
Of the rollout of the Façade Program, Mayor Galime stated, “This program is part of my continuing effort to revamp economic development in Utica. From my focus on manufacturing businesses with the City Limits series to the recent NY Forward announcement to our second round of Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprises, I believe that we must create an environment where businesses of all sizes can thrive.”
For more information on the Façade Improvement Program, business owners should contact the City’s Economic Development Specialist Jack Spaeth at (315) 792-0181.
