Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/370207
AUG. 27 - SEPT. 2, 2014 UCW 15 WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM Calendar of Events The City of Fayetteville, NC does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, age, national origin, religion, or disability in its employment opportunities, programs, services, or activities. JAMI SHEPPARD McLAUGHLIN, Downtown Development Manager jmclaughlin@ci.fay.nc.us www.visitdowntownfayetteville.com www.facebook.com/downtownfayetteville Aug. 28 – Summer Concert Series, Army Ground Forces Band, www.forscom.army.mil/band Aug. 29 – Fresh Fest Live @ the Park, Next Level Entertainment, www.facebook.com/nextlevelfreshfest.tour Aug. 30 – Libra-Con Block Party, Cumberland County Library Headquarters, www.cumberland.lib.nc.us Sept. 5-6 – Lafayette Birthday Celebration including the Downtown Sidewalk Sale Lafayette Society, www.lafayettesociety.org Through October – Whimsical Dogwoods! Market at the Museum every Wednesday and Saturday! Are You Ready to Open a Business Downtown? We Can Help! Do you have a passion or a dream to own your own business downtown? Do you have an existing business that could be expanded or have you thought about opening a second location downtown? The City of Fayetteville offers economic incentives to help encourage the restoration of facades through rehabilitation, offer loans for small business owners investing in our community and creating jobs. Through the City's Community Development Department, programs are offered including the following: Business Assistance Loan Program The Business Assistance Program provides funding to assist a small business owner in the city limits of Fayetteville with the additional equity or down payment needed in order to quality for primary financing working in conjunction with a primary loan from a bank or another approved lender. The City will offer a subordinated loan up to 25% or a maximum of $125,000 of the total loan funds needed. Loans up to $200,000 will be considered for small businesses acquiring and renovating properties in the downtown historic district. Façade Improvement Grant Program This program is designed to promote the revitalization of facades of active for-profit businesses through the rehabilitation of commercial building exteriors and landscapes in any of the City's redevelopment plan areas. The City of Fayetteville will provide a matching reimbursement grant up to $5,000 for each façade renovated. Funds may be used for, but not limited to, brick cleaning and repairing, painting, window and/or door repair and replacement, landscaping, canopies, awnings, signage, lighting replacement or repair or other permanent improvements to the exterior of the property. Small Business Development Grant Program The Small Business Development Grant Program is designed to assist with the startup and development of small businesses in the city limits of Fayetteville. The City of Fayetteville will provide a matching grant up to a maximum of $5,000 for eligible small business expenses. Eligible clients must be an approved client of the Center for Economic Empowerment and Development (CEED) in order to be considered for this program. Small Business Retention Grant Program This program is designed to assist with the expansion costs of existing small businesses. The objective is to retain businesses in the City's redevelopment plan areas including downtown. Grants for furniture, fixtures, equipment and interior and exterior renovations can be considered for this program. Eligibility is considered on a case-by-case basis. The small business must be operational for no less than one year and the owner must be able to provide business financials to include a balance sheet, profit and loss statement and tax return for a full year of operation. Each business applicant is able to receive only one grant award from this program. The City of Fayetteville will provide a matching reimbursement grant up to $5,000. Each applicant must receive at least one private consultation with a small business consultant at the Center for Economic Empowerment and Development (CEED). Comments received from the small business consultant will be considered when rendering a grant decision. Requirements and More Information Requirements that apply to all programs include job creation/retention, compliance with the Davis-Bacon act and environmental and committee reviews. The City reserves the right to deny a grant or loan request by a small business that is not deemed feasible or does not meet a need or desire of the respective community. Non-profit organizations are not eligible to apply. For more information on these programs, please contact Michelle Haire, community investment administrator, at 433-1596. If you have other questions about opening up your business downtown including other funding sources, commercial or residential spaces and more, feel free to call the Downtown Development office at 433-1599 or find out more at www.visitdowntownfayetteville.com