Wed Nov 04 2009
NAPOLEON -- The City of Napoleon has been officially invited to compete in October for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds aimed at rehabilitating downtown buildings.
Napoleon Alive, Inc. recently received word that the preliminary application submitted to the Ohio Department of Development (ODD) in late May met initial requirements.
This makes it eligible to complete the full application by early October as it seeks up to $400,000 in grant funds.
"The hard work and dedication of the individuals involved in Napoleon Alive, Inc. has allowed us to move to the next step in the process of securing matching funds for our downtown business and building owners to improve buildings, and operations," said Napoleon Mayor Andrew Small. "I applaud their efforts to date and look forward to continued success in their quest to redevelop our downtown business district."
Napoleon will compete with nine other municipalities of comparable size across Ohio for this special funding.
CDBG funds are one of the few grants available to assist with private funding of building rehabilitation projects.
"Now we get down to the nitty gritty in lining up building and business owners interested in making improvements to their buildings," said Robin Wierauch of Napoleon Alive, Inc.
Weirauch said that communities that submit projects before the Oct. 6 application deadline will be first in line to qualify for grant money.
For Napoleon to be competitive, at least $400,000 in private and public project commitments must be lined up in order to match the requested grant amount.
Weirauch explained that qualifying matching fund projects will prevent or reverse deterioration, bring building interiors up to building code requirements and restore and exterior facades of buildings, most of which are more than 50 years old.
"Restoration and refurbishment of first and second floor spaces will invite more business opportunities, allow existing businesses to expand, and allow Napoleon to improve its overall mix of retail and service businesses in the downtown," Weirauch said. "The funds will bring several improvement projects to fruition at about the same time, putting Napoleon's downtown in a much better position to flourish."
Dollars committed to public projects, such as streets, sidewalks, and sewers will also be used a matching funds to help Napoleon Alive, Inc. qualify for the grant.
In collaboration, the City of Napoleon and Napoleon Alive, Inc., encourage downtown building and business owners who are interested in making improvements to contact Napoleon Alive for more information.
For more information, contact Weirauch by e-mail at robin@napoleonalive.org, or phone at 419-758-3864.
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