(A) No eligible business shall receive a grant established by this subchapter without a valid certification by the Economic Development Director that the proposed aesthetic and structural improvements are qualified for the grant.
(B) An eligible business may qualify for a grant established in this subchapter by submitting a written application for it to the city with all the information required by the city, which shall include, without limitation:
(1) Information about the organizational structure of the business and the owners thereof;
(2) The business history of the employer;
(3) An explanation of the improvements;
(4) Proof of ownership of the building or business;
(5) An explanation for how the improvements of the business meet any of the following factors:
(a) Directly increase future revenue/job creation in the city;
(b) Significantly decrease blight within the city;
(c) The business’s aesthetic and structural improvements will significantly increase the property tax value.
(6) A commencement date for the proposed improvements;
(7) The anticipated cost of the proposed improvements and the amount requested by the business.
(8) Requests for reimbursement shall be submitted within 90 days of the completion of work.
(C) An application for grant established in this subchapter shall be reviewed by the Mayor, City Administrative Officer, and the Economic Development Director of the city for completeness, accuracy and compliance with this subchapter; but the Economic Development Director shall certify that said grant will benefit the citizens of the city and improve the property values of the city.
(D) Prior applicants shall not receive additional funds from the prior applications and shall be paid out pursuant to the ordinance in effect at the time of application. New applications for new work may be submitted only once per fiscal year.
(Ord. 2480, passed 7-2-2019; Ord. 2505, passed 10-6-2020; Ord. 2519, passed 6-1-2021)