Neighborhood Retail Assistance Program
NRAP
The Neighborhood Retail Assistance program (NRAP) is structured to provide access to capital to small retail-related businesses and targets projects which will upgrade the exterior appearance and feel of retail districts. The program offers low interest loans up to $40,000 with up to $3,000 of that loan forgivable if certain green building methods are utilized.
Storefront Renovation Program
SRP
The City of Cleveland Storefront Renovation Program offers financial incentives (rebate and/or loan) combined with free City design assistance to applicants considering an exterior rehabilitation of a commercial structure. Applicants of SRP may also be eligible for the Ohio City Incorporated Neighborhood Development Program, contact Ohio City Incorporated for more details. Combining financial incentives with free design and technical assistance provides opportunities to rehabilitate entire building facades and create dynamic signage.
There are two categories within the Storefront Renovation Program:
Option 1
Comprehensive Building Rebate
Rehabilitating the storefront and façade of your building not only improves its value, but can also raise the rates for which you rent your space. The Comprehensive Building program of SRP offers a 40% rebate of up to $25,000 on all eligible exterior improvements. Eligible improvements are limited to rehab costs for work done to the main elevations commonly seen by the public.
Option 2
signage-only rebate
A major study titled “Research on Signage Performance” conducted by the University of San Diego looked at the economic benefits of on-premise signage and the financial performance of independent retailers in commercial districts found installation of professional quality on premise signs can increase retail profits up to 23.7%. Further, the study documents that on-premise signage is the most cost-effective means of advertising for small businesses when looked at on a cost per 1,000 exposures of a message basis (which is the standard measure of cost of media). Free design and technical assistance partnered with a 40% rebate up to $3,000 can help small business owners get quality and dynamic signage.
Building Eligibility
To qualify for the Storefront Program Rebate or Loan Incentive, buildings must fall into at least one of the following categories:
- Traditional commercial buildings (originally built with display windowed storefronts)
- Commercially zoned retail structures
- Commercially zoned service buildings
Certain building types are not eligible for the Storefront Renovation Program. They include, but may not be limited to:
- Entirely residential buildings
- Schools
- Industrial buildings
- Strip shopping plazas
- Arcades
- Malls
- Churches
- Any structure used for sacred purposes
Regarding the Comprehensive Building Rebate Program:
Typically eligible costs include:
- Storefront Display Windows
- Upper-floor windows
- Doors
- Painting or cleaning treatments
- Above-ground masonry repairs
- Lighting
- Exterior security systems
- Awnings
- Signage
- Landscaping and irrigation systems
- Decorative fencing
- Architectural fees up to $3500
Costs not eligible for comprehensive building program include:
- Interior Construction (Exceptions Apply)
- HVAC or mechanical systems
- Parking lot paving and drainage
- Below-grade foundations (loan eligible)
- Flat roofs (loan eligible)
Find more support in the surrounding city
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