The Jamestown Renaissance Corporation is once again accepting applications for its downtown Building and Business Improvement program.

Building and business owners in Jamestown may apply for matching grants up to $25,000 for facade renovations; to make interior/exterior improvements to commercial spaces; to increase the number of “high-quality” housing units in the downtown corridor; or for other capital improvements.

The goal of the program, JRC said, is to encourage local economic growth and development by “making downtown Jamestown an attractive location to live, work, play, and do business,” the organization said.

The Building and Business Improvement grant program targets improvements that contribute to the overall streetscape aesthetic of the downtown business district, encourage business expansion and entrepreneurship, and aim to improve individual building image and functionality for business/building owners.

The application process, JRC said, is broken down into two phases — a pre-application due by Jan. 30 and the full application due by Feb. 13. Only those who complete the pre-application will be given access to the full application.

Notifications on grant awards or denials will be made by March 8.

According to JRC, applicants must provide at least a 50% cash match to the total project cost. Further, the grant projects must have a minimum investment of $1,000 per building.

Those eligible for the grant include building or business owners located within the Urban Design Target Area as well as non-government, nonprofit organizations in the Downtown Jamestown Historic District.

“While business owners who do not own the property may apply, written permission from the building owner and proof of leasehold is required,” JRC said. “Additionally, the building owner must agree to sign a maintenance agreement.”

Properties with outstanding tax assessments or code violations are not eligible unless the grant is primarily intended to reverse code violations.

For more information or to apply, visit jamestownrenaissance.org/2024-downtown-building-and-business-improvement-grant-now-open/.