The Dublin EDC has recently reorganized its grants and is offering five of them to assist business owners and the community.
One of the major changes with the grants is funds may now be used to complete interior renovations on the commercial building improvement grants, such as the removal of walls or improving electrical work.
“We want to get the sales tax money back out to these businesses that are generating it,” EDC Executive Director Penny Corona said.
A commercial building improvement grant for a business owner is one of the grants that is available.
The business must be in the city limits or within the city’s extraterritorial jurisdiction (1/2 mile outside the city limits).
Eligible projects may include but are not limited to: painting, signage, awnings or canopies, restoring buildings to original appearance, improving or adding handicap-accessibleentrances, interior building renovations, addressing issues related to the safe occupancy of the building and other improvements that will be considered on a caseby- case basis.
With this grant, applicants may be reimbursed for 75 percent of the total cost of the project, with the EDC’s portion not to exceed $7,500.
This money will be used to reimburse out-of-pocket expenses (including hired labor).
A commercial building improvement grant for property owners is also available.
The same guidelines apply to this grant as the other commercial building improvement grant however, vacant buildings are eligible if the owner demonstrates intent to bring the building up to a standard that is suitable for sale, lease or rent.
Roof repairs are also excluded.
An event marketing grant has also been approved covering 75 percent of marketing expenses up to $2,500 for a new event or an on-going event.
Applicants many receive only one marketing grant per year, with exceptions at the discretion of the DEDC board.
The application should be submitted at least one month prior to the event. If awarded a grant, the recipient agrees to acknowledge the DEDC as a sponsor in event marketing materials.
An event marketing/event expansion grant is also being offered with 50 percent of the costs up to $1,500 being offered.
The DEDC is focused on two different types of events: local and tourism.
Local events are focused on building community and quality of life (like the community Easter Egg Hunt) while a tourism event is planned to bring outside dollars into Dublin via tourism (such as the St. Patrick’s Day event).
Event expansion refers to adding new elements to an event that has already shown repeated success. Applicants who receive the event expansion grant must wait for at least one year before applying for this again.
A community improvement grant is also available with DEDC paying up to $2,500 with an 80/20 match.
This grant is for projects that will help improve Dublin overall such as the Dolly Parton project at the Dublin Public Library.
Professional receipts must accompany grant applications, Corona said.
Since the EDC is currently redoing their website, those interested in applying for the grants can call Corona at 254-226-8893, email her at dublintxedc@gmail.com or stop by 126 E. Blackjack St., Suite 103 in Dublin at Blackjack Office Center.
Corona said she is available for any questions grant applicants may have and can walk anyone through the process if they are unsure.