Business Reach Grant

The Athens Downtown Development Authority (ADDA) Business Reach Grant Program is intended to incentivize economic development by encouraging investment in interior renovations, improvements, and build outs for existing or new businesses. The program will offer a 50% matching grant up to $10,000 for reimbursement. Improvements must contribute to the overall value of downtown business and investments.

The Business Reach Grant Program is funded by the ADDA and administered by the Reach Grant Committee (RGC). The RGC will determine the amount of matching funds based on the proposal, grant funds available, and the number of requests under consideration.

Any business currently located in the ADDA boundary or any business that intends to open in the ADDA boundary is eligible to apply. For information regarding district boundaries, contact Rachel Swartz at 706-353-1421, or Rachel@downtownathensga.com.

Because Athens is a Georgia Main Street Community, we have access to wonderful and inexpensive local design services that can be included in your Reach Grant proposal. Please contact Rachel Swartz at 706-353-1421, or rachel@downtownathensga.com, for more information on design services.

Eligible projects are limited to interior improvements which are permanently affixed to the building, which are not specific to the use, and which do not restrict the future use of the building.

Priority will be given to professional services businesses and businesses that enhance or complement the District’s existing retail mix and/or help strengthen the economic impact of the ADDA district. Examples of businesses that complement the existing retail mix are children’s products, art shops/galleries, florist, book store, etc.

Priority will be given to businesses with projected tangible benefits to the ADDA district and/or Athens-Clarke County.

Eligible projects include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Interior improvements that result in a new business.
• Build out of existing space that results in additional consumers attracted to downtown or an increase percentage of sales or receipts.
• Build out of existing space that adds or sustains employees.
• Life safety and Americans with Disabilities Act accessibility code requirements.
• Interior renovation that contributes to sustainability, such as improving a building’s energy efficiency.

Ineligible work includes but is not limited to:

• Signs
• Day-to-day operational costs
• Marketing
• Exterior improvements of any kind
• Personal property/equipment
• General maintenance
• Cosmetic improvements

Eligible projects must be in accordance with all government rules, regulations, and laws, including but not limited to the Athens-Clarke County Unified Government’s ordinances and building codes.

Participants assume full responsibility for all aspects of the project, any relationships with contractors and suppliers, and securing all necessary municipal approvals.

Applicants agree to maintain the approved improvements in good condition for a period of at least three (3) years, making repairs as necessary, or risk repayment of grant funds to the ADDA. This is at the ADDA’s discretion, and will not be enforceable if the property changes owners.

The application form below is to be submitted to: ADDA, c/o Rachel Swartz, 250 W. Broad St., Suite 108, Athens, GA, 30601. Applicants interested in the program should also consult with the Athens Clarke County Planning Department to obtain appropriate permits. For assistance and more information, please contact Rachel Swartz at 706-353-1421, or Rachel@downtownathensga.com.

Applications will be reviewed by the RGC within four weeks of receipt and in the order received. Only complete applications will be reviewed. A complete application includes the attached form and all supporting materials as specified in the instructions. Incomplete application packets will be returned to the sender within two weeks if all materials are not submitted.

The Business Reach Grant Committee (RGC), which is a subcommittee authorized by the ADDA, shall:

a. Review each application packet for completeness;

b. Make a determination regarding eligibility;

c. Classify the project as either a minor or major improvement to set the timeline for completion; and

d. Provide a grant recommendation to the ADDA or deny the project.

Each application packet will be judged on the following standards for review:

a. Priority will be given to professional services businesses and businesses that best complement the District’s retail mix and/or help strengthen the economic impact of the ADDA district. Examples of businesses that complement the downtown Athens retail mix are children’s products, art shops/galleries, florist, book store, etc.

b. Priority will be given to businesses with projected tangible benefits to the ADDA district and/or Athens-Clarke County.

c. Quality of the work proposed.

d. Level of match participation of the applicant.

e. Range of projects completed and proposed as part of the Business Reach Grant Program.

f. Any other relevant factors deemed by the RGC to be applicable.

The public is welcome to attend the meetings of the RGC which will be held in the ADDA office building as needed. The applicant may be required to attend the meeting in which his or her application is considered. The majority of the committee present will recommend approval of, deny, or table each complete application. Recommendations for Business Reach Grants will then be given to the ADDA for approval at their next Board Meeting.

Not later than two weeks after the ADDA meeting date, the applicant will receive a confirmation letter indicating the grant award decision, or in some cases, a request for additional information. The ADDA reserves the right to table, deny, or request modifications in any or all application packets, in whole or in part, and to negotiate
changes in the proposed project. In the case of denial by the ADDA, the applicant can address the issues identified by the committee and re-apply for a grant.

Approved projects will be reimbursed at up to fifty percent (50%) of the approved project’s total cost. The award will not exceed the Business Reach Grant Program maximum grant of ten thousand dollars ($10,000).

**Please note: If work is started on the applicant’s project before the decision to make a grant award, the RGC reserves the right to determine that only the remaining work will be eligible for a matching grant.

The RGC reserves the right to recommend funds as it deems best to achieve its purposes and at its sole discretion. For example, the RGC can grant funds in amounts as it deems appropriate to encourage the projects it deems most beneficial. Many factors are considered, such as the RGC budget, number of applicants, financial considerations, applicant match, mixture of proposed projects, and the extent to which projects fulfill the goals and standards for eligible projects as set forth above.

Improvements must be started within ninety (90) days of receiving the confirmation letter and completed within twelve (12) months of said receipt, or re-application will be required. To qualify for reimbursement, all work must be complete and in conformance with the approved plans.

After project completion, the applicant is reimbursed with awarded grant funds upon:

a. Satisfactory completion of the project with conformance to approved plans;

b. Receipt of a reimbursement request plus all receipts and proof of payment;

c. Compliance with all applicable municipal rules, laws, ordinances, and regulations;

d. Reaffirmation of applicant’s commitment to maintain project improvements for a period of at least 3 years.

All reimbursement requests are to be submitted to ADDA, c/o Rachel Swartz, 250 W. Broad Street. Suite 108, Athens, GA 30601. The RGC reserves the right to increase or decrease a grant award in accordance with receipt of actual expenditures.