The Board of County Development
(BCD) approved a plan Tuesday to give
financial aid to businesses that improve
their building's appearance.
After revisions to guidelines were presented by board member Trent Driggers, the panel could award up to $1,000 to businesses to improve existing structures, depending on the cost.
"This is something we could do to put money into our county businesses and make our board more active," Driggers said.
The program would allow for a reimbursement of $500 for upgrades costing between $1,000 and $2,000, and $1,000 for upgrades that are more than $2,000. The board set aside $10,000 for the program.
All upgrades must be made between May 1 and Sept. 30 of this year.
There is a possibility that the reimbursement could be for a higher amount, which would be decided on a case-bycase basis.
"I think people would really take advantage of this, especially if the cost of improvements is $1,000 and they can get half of that back," said board member Justin Sperry. "It's really something that's aimed at mom-and-pop stores."
The upgrades must be to the physical appearance of the faade of any building in the county that is commercially zoned and in compliance with all city or county codes. Also, the money may be allocated only to "for-profit" enterprises.
The money also may be reimbursed for improved signage to a building as well as other improvements such as painting, bricking, stoning, new awnings and windows.
The improvements must be visible from the street, either on the storefront or on the side of the building.
The board will either pre-approve the work or will reimburse owners after the fact, provided that all required receipts are presented.
The money will be distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis. The board also reserves the right to approve or deny any application.
"If people want to be assured to get the money, they can come to the board for prior approval," Driggers said.
The upgrades must be permanent, but could include such things as landscape changes from grass to a desert motif, for example.
"I think this will make things more attractive to out-of-towners," said board member Mike Tyrrell.
Applications may be picked up at the offices of the Snyder Chamber of Commerce, Snyder Daily News, the Development Corporation of Snyder and the county judge's office.
The reimbursement program only covers existing businesses and will not be available for new stores or shops under construction.
A committee consisting of two BCD members will be named at a later date to review the applications. For now, the entire board will review them.
The board also agreed to advertise the program in both the Snyder Daily News and on local radio.
"Trent put a lot of work into this plan and we all appreciate it," said BCD Chairman Wade Warren.
After revisions to guidelines were presented by board member Trent Driggers, the panel could award up to $1,000 to businesses to improve existing structures, depending on the cost.
"This is something we could do to put money into our county businesses and make our board more active," Driggers said.
The program would allow for a reimbursement of $500 for upgrades costing between $1,000 and $2,000, and $1,000 for upgrades that are more than $2,000. The board set aside $10,000 for the program.
All upgrades must be made between May 1 and Sept. 30 of this year.
There is a possibility that the reimbursement could be for a higher amount, which would be decided on a case-bycase basis.
"I think people would really take advantage of this, especially if the cost of improvements is $1,000 and they can get half of that back," said board member Justin Sperry. "It's really something that's aimed at mom-and-pop stores."
The upgrades must be to the physical appearance of the faade of any building in the county that is commercially zoned and in compliance with all city or county codes. Also, the money may be allocated only to "for-profit" enterprises.
The money also may be reimbursed for improved signage to a building as well as other improvements such as painting, bricking, stoning, new awnings and windows.
The improvements must be visible from the street, either on the storefront or on the side of the building.
The board will either pre-approve the work or will reimburse owners after the fact, provided that all required receipts are presented.
The money will be distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis. The board also reserves the right to approve or deny any application.
"If people want to be assured to get the money, they can come to the board for prior approval," Driggers said.
The upgrades must be permanent, but could include such things as landscape changes from grass to a desert motif, for example.
"I think this will make things more attractive to out-of-towners," said board member Mike Tyrrell.
Applications may be picked up at the offices of the Snyder Chamber of Commerce, Snyder Daily News, the Development Corporation of Snyder and the county judge's office.
The reimbursement program only covers existing businesses and will not be available for new stores or shops under construction.
A committee consisting of two BCD members will be named at a later date to review the applications. For now, the entire board will review them.
The board also agreed to advertise the program in both the Snyder Daily News and on local radio.
"Trent put a lot of work into this plan and we all appreciate it," said BCD Chairman Wade Warren.
