Redevelopment grant applications available

Any business owner in the Main Street District whose building meets state criteria may apply for Redevelopment Incentive Grants through June 6, according to a city news release.
To be eligible for the grants, a building must be located within the Main Street District, must be used for commercial purposes and must be 50 years or older, the release stated.
The Historic District Commission’s proposed work must also approve the proposed work, which must meet guidelines set by the “Secretary of Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation.”
The two levels of grants for redevelopment projects are $10,000 for projects of at least $20,000, and $2,500 for projects of at least $5,000, the release stated.
Applicants must match the grant amount on a dollar-for-dollar basis.
Exterior improvements, restoration and rehabilitation must directly contribute to the revitalization of the Main Street District while preserving and respecting the historic architectural character of the building, district and heritage of the community.
Interior improvements are restricted to exposing, restoring or replicating the original interior architectural features or the installation of a fire suppression system and is applicable to commercial ground floor space or new upper story residential development in a historically commercial building.
Relocation of a historic building to or within the Main Street District in an effort to preserve area architectural and/or cultural heritage will receive consideration.
The relocated structure must be for permanent public commercial or cultural educational use and provide significant cultural and economic development stimulation within the Main Street District, the release stated.
In 2013, Shannon Hardware located on Front Street in Morgan City received a $10,000 interior redevelopment incentive grant, Shannon Hardware store manager Ricky Weber said.
The store used the grant to replace its ceiling with stamped tin in the original store building which opened in 1870, he said.
The grant was also used to stain and seal the floors and decorate posts with cast iron, Weber said.
Grant applications were mailed out to all Main Street District businesses and are available at City Hall from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, the release stated.
Completed applications must be returned to City Hall no later than June 6. For more information, call Beth Price at the Main Street Office at 385-1770 ext. 112 or email her at b.price@cityofmc.com.