FAÇADE, AWNING AND SIGNAGE GRANTS

The purpose of the Seymour Main Street Façade, Awning and Signage Grant Program is to provide financial incentive grants to building owners or commercial tenants located within the Seymour Main Street District. The incentive grants are funded through a grant from the City of Seymour Redevelopment Commission and administered by Seymour Main Street. Restoration of individual façade, awning purchases, and new signage improves the visual appearance of the entire downtown, which is critical both to the success of individual businesses and to the economic health and vitality of the district and Greater Seymour as a whole. The program will provide a matching 1:1 grant for projects up to $40,000 ($20,000 grant). Maximum grant per project is $20,000. Loan funds would qualify as matching funds if the applicant is determined eligible. Grant projects should be completed within 6 months of the date of award. Failure to complete may result in forfeiture of award. In order to qualify for Seymour Main Street grant funds, the Grantee shall continue ownership or business operations for at least 24 months or be subject to penalties.

 

 

Eligible Projects

Eligible applicants for façade renovation and/or restoration grants include building owners of commercial buildings in the defined Main Street District. In addition, only the principal structure of a property is eligible. No outbuildings or accessory buildings such as garages and barns shall be eligible.

Open for BusinessExamples of eligible projects:

  • Signage (additional or removal)
  • Awnings (addition or removal)
  • Exterior Painting
  • Tuckpointing
  • Replacement of architectural detail

Examples of ineligible projects:

  • Electrical work (except related to signage)
  • Installation of inappropriate materials
  • Interior improvements
  • Replacement of transom glass
  • Removal of aluminum “slipcovers” (aluminum siding, mansard roofs, etc.)
  • Window repair and replacement
  • Window display (merchandising)
  • Cleaning
  • Landscaping
  • Electronic Signs

All of the above façade improvements must be in keeping with the architectural or historical characteristics to ensure compatibility with the existing downtown, helping to create a uniform and coordinated streetscape which is attractive and functional. Buildings with multiple retail stores are only eligible for one (1) facade grant per year.

Approved Color Palette: Seymour Main Street has established an approved color palette for businesses/individuals in the awning and façade and signage program. Approved applicants must use the approved color palette. Click here to view the Approved Color Palette Document

Program Criteria

Businesses or property owners interested in applying for a grant must meet the following criteria:

  • The business or owner must be located within the boundaries of the Seymour Main Street District. The district boundaries include Pine St. to Broadway St. between 5th St. and Bruce St.
  • The business or owner must fill out a complete application detailing plans for the proposed renovations.
  • The applicant will agree to comply with all local land use laws as well as any local or state laws pertinent to the project.
  • Grant will be awarded to grantees upon completion of the project.
  • Applications must meet one of the eligible project categories to be eligible for consideration.
  • Projects cannot have started prior to a grant award.

All applicants that meet the above criteria will have their applications reviewed by the Seymour Main Street Economic Restructuring Committee. Any projects undertaken before receiving approval from the Committee will not be eligible for a grant.

Review Criteria

Projects including historic buildings in danger of being lost, in part, or in total, to disrepair shall have priority for funding. This may include properties listed on the state and/or national registers of historic places or properties with historical, architectural or cultural significance. In addition, vacant properties where façade improvements would reduce the perception of downtown decay shall also receive high consideration for funding.

Grant ChecklistThe following criteria will be used in reviewing applications:

  • Project will create or expand a business
  • Project will sustain jobs or create new jobs
  • Aesthetic impact of the renovation
  • Degree of the improvement(s) capitalize(s) on building’s architectural assets
  • Degree of historical integrity of renovation plans
  • Other building improvements completed beyond those funded
  • Proposed renovation will stop serious deterioration of the building’s facade

The Seymour Main Street Economic Restructuring Committee will review all applications against these criteria. Funds are being provided by the City of Seymour Redevelopment Commission and are limited. The Committee will carefully examine applications to determine which projects will most contribute to the overall improvement of Downtown buildings. Not all projects that apply may receive funding.

Grant Application Instructions and Review Process

  1. A complete application must include the following:A completed application form including a detailed description of your project
  2. If your project requires, provide architectural plans, design sketches or site plans (illustrating all proposed work on the building).
  3. A project cost estimate
  4. Invoices/Estimates
  5. Photos
  6. Proof of Insurance
  7. Permits (Local/State if required)
  8. Copy of filed and approved Certificate of Appropriateness (Issued through City of Seymour Planning & Zoning) 
The more detailed information and renderings submitted, the better your chances are for a successful review.
 

Grant Repayment

 
Main Street’s grant funds must be repaid in an amount and manner described below if any of the following events occurs during the 24-month period immediately following completion of the approved project:
  1. The benefited property is sold or otherwise conveyed by the owner to another individual or entity; or
  2. The business located in the benefited property ceases operation; or
  3. Seymour Main Street becomes aware that the applicant made false or misleading statements in the application which were material in making the grant; or
  4. The applicant becomes insolvent.

Seymour Main Street shall give written notice to the applicant upon determination that one of the forgoing events has occurred, in which case repayment shall be made in 12 equal monthly installments of principal only beginning on the 1st of the month next following the date of the notice and continuing on the 1st day of each month thereafter until repaid in full.

For repayment triggered by reasons set forth in subparagraph C above, the full amount of the grant shall be repaid. If no notice of repayment, as above described, is given to the applicant within the 24-month period after project completion, then the grant shall be deemed forgiven.

Pending forgiveness of the entire grant or, pending full repayment of the grant, the grant shall be secured by a mortgage upon the benefited premises given by the owner in favor of Main Street at the time of grant approval, which shall be subject to foreclosure upon default in making a required payment. A mortgage shall not be required if applicant has only a leasehold interest in the benefited property.