2. Grow Monroe: A Grant Program to Support New or Expanding Businesses

   
   

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3. 

5. Overview

   Read the grant document (PDF)

   The City of Monroe is committed to supporting and promoting new and existing businesses in the Downtown Business District by providing financial assistance through an incentive grant that helps to offset the costs associated with opening a new business or expanding an existing business.

   The Grant

   The GROW MONROE grant program is a matching 50/50 incentive grant program designed to provide assistance with rental expenses, upfit expenses, or expansion costs.

   Awards are determined using a formula based square footage. 

   1. New businesses are eligible for $6.00 per square foot for retail/office and $8.00 per square foot for food service/restaurants opening in the Downtown Business District. 
   2. Expanding businesses are eligible for $4.00 per square foot for retail/office and $6.00 per square foot for food service/restaurant for increasing the footprint of an existing business in the Downtown Business District. Applicants who have received an incentive award within the prior five years are not eligible.

   Submission Process

   Grant applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis. Awards are based on the availability of funds and meeting the programs requirements.

   Applicants must submit a completed application and obtain approval from the Downtown Manager. 

   • For new businesses, the application must be received within six months of opening.
   • For expansions of existing businesses, the application and approval will be required prior to beginning the expansion project.
   • Applicants for expansion assistance must be adding to the existing footprint of their business as well as creating three new jobs. 

7. Applicant Information

9. Applicant Name*
11. Address*
12. City*
13. State*
14. Zip Code*
16. Email Address *
17. Phone Number*

19. Property Information

21. Address*
22. City*
23. State*
24. Zip Code*
26. Parcel Number*
27. Primary Phone Number *
29. Parcel Location Certification*

    1. I certify that this property is located in the Downtown Business District of Monroe. See policy for description.
31. Property Owner Name (If different from applicant)
33. Address
34. City
35. State
36. Zip Code
38. Cluster Type
39. Business Type
41. Email Address
42. Phone Number
44. Which floor of the building will you be operating on?*

    1. First
    2. Second
    3. Third
45. How many new jobs have you created with this project?*
46. How many residential units have you created with this project, if applicable?
48. Hours of Operation *

    Please describe the days of the week and hours of operation

49. Square Footage*
51. Select Application Type*

    1. New business applying for rent subsidy only
    2. New business applying for up-fit assistance only
    3. New business applying for rent subsidy and up-fit assistance
    4. Existing business applying for an expansion project
53. Rent Subsidy Monthly Rent Cost for New Businesses Only

    Rent subsidy assistance awards 50% of a new businesses’ rent for the first 12 months. Funds shall be paid by the City of Monroe to approved applicants after their first six months and again after 12 months. Proof of timely payment of the full amount of rent will be required before rent subsidy funds are released.

55. Eligible Expenses & Details

    Select all applicable expenses for your business type.

57. Eligible Business Up-Fit Expenses for Food Service

    1. Refrigerators, freezers, and coolers
    2. Ovens, ranges, grills, and ventilation
    3. Fryers and grease interceptor, grease trap or receptacle
    4. Washing equipment
    5. Safety equipment

    1. Point of sale equipment
    2. Lighting
    3. Construction of outdoor dining or gathering spaces
    4. City-approved outdoor furniture
59. Retail/Office Business Expenses

    1. Point of sale equipment
    2. Lighting
    3. Permanent fixtures
    4. Security equipment
60. Eligible Sign Expenses for All Businesses

    1. Projecting/Blade Sign
    2. Wall/Attached Sign
    3. Canopy/Awning Sign
    4. Window Sign
    5. Sidewalk Sign

    See policy for sign descriptions.

62. Project Details

    Please provide detail for each item in the project.  

64. Documentation

66. Application Checklist

    1. Completed application
    2. Summary outlining the full extent of the work
    3. A minimum of two quotes from a licensed, bonded, and insured contractor(s) covering full extent of the work
    4. Site plans, elevations plans, drawings
    5. Photos of existing conditions

    1. Certificate of Appropriateness if the property is within the Local Historic District
    2. Copies of all required permit application(s)
    3. Proof of ownership or leasing contract
    4. Property owner’s written permission if tenant is applying

    Grant application submissions require the following information and documents.  

68. Additional Existing Business Checklist

    1. A detailed description of expansion plan including current footprint and footprint after expansion
    2. Detailed description of the cost for all proposed improvements, including two price quotes from a licensed/bonded and insured contractor and descriptions and costs for new equipment that will be part of the expansion
    3. Copies of approved permit(s)
70. Quote #1 from Contractor

    A minimum of two quotes from a licensed, bonded, and insured contractor(s) covering full extent of the work

71. Quote #2 from Contractor

    A minimum of two quotes from a licensed, bonded, and insured contractor(s) covering full extent of the work

    
    

73. Site Plans, Elevation Plans, and Drawings

    Combine files into one .pdf or .zip file, if needed

74. Photos of Existing Conditions

    Combine files into one .pdf or .zip file, if needed

76. Certificate of Appropriateness

    If property is within the local Historic District

77. Permit Applications

    Combine files into one .pdf or .zip file, if needed

79. Proof of Ownership or Leasing Contract
80. Property Owner Permission Statement

    If tenant is applying

82. Existing Business: Expansion Plan & Footprints

    A detailed description of expansion plan including current footprint and footprint after expansion

83. Existing Business: Description for Proposed Improvements

    Combine files into one .pdf or .zip file, if needed

    Detailed description of the cost for all proposed improvements, including two price quotes from a licensed/bonded and insured contractor and descriptions and costs for new equipment that will be part of the expansion.

    
    

85. Existing Business: Required Permits
87. Additional Documentation, if Needed

    Additional quote from contractor or any other additional documentation needed

88. Additional Documentation, if Needed

    Additional quote from contractor or any other additional documentation needed

90. Approval Process 

    Upon submission of this application the Downtown Director will schedule an application review meeting with the applicant within two weeks of receipt. Submission of this application is not a guarantee of a grant award or issuance of a permit. An approval letter will be mailed, emailed, or given by hand to the applicant upon approval. If an application is not approved, the Downtown Office will convey the rejection through email along with the reason for the rejection.

    Certification

    I certify that all information provided in this application is accurate and that all work will be performed to meet the program guidelines, City zoning and building code requirements, historic district requirements if applicable and meet the guidelines of the Secretary of Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation and Supplementary Requirements for Development in the Central Business District (City of Monroe Code of Ordinances Title XV, Chapter 156.0540). 

    I understand that Downtown Grants must receive a recommendation by Monroe’s Downtown Advisory Board to City Council. If a recommendation is awarded, staff will request a call for a public hearing at the next regular City Council meeting. A presentation and request will then be made to City Council at the next regularly scheduled City Council meeting. If approved, funds will be encumbered and held until the project is completed and a new assessed value is provided by the Union County Tax Assessor’s office. 

    An application is not a guarantee that an award will be made.

    Note: The approval process will take a minimum of three months. 

92. By signing and submitting this document, you agree that all signatures where required may be Electronically Signed by either party, pursuant to NCGS 66-315(b).*

    1. I understand.
94. Signature *
95. Date *
    Date
Leave This Blank:


97. 1. Receive an email copy of this form.
98. Email address

    This field is not part of the form submission.

99. Submit

* indicates a required field