The Downtown Revitalization Grant Program is a competitive matching grant program designed to encourage investment in commercial districts throughout Wayne County. The program provides financial assistance for building improvements, redevelopment projects, and downtown revitalization efforts through funding made available by Indiana’s READI 2.0 Blight and Redevelopment Program.

A total of $3 million in READI 2.0 grant funding has been awarded to Wayne County and is being matched with $1 million in local funding, creating a significant investment opportunity for downtown revitalization projects.

Applicants must own the property or have authorization from the property owner to undertake the proposed improvements.

Eligible applicants include:

• Commercial property owners
• For-profit businesses
• Property tax-paying nonprofit organizations
• Developers investing in eligible properties

Twelve Wayne County communities with designated commercial districts are eligible:

Each participating community has established specific downtown boundaries and maps identifying eligible properties.
Please refer to the eligibility maps available on the program page to determine whether your property qualifies.

Eligible projects may include:

• Building façade improvements
• Interior renovations
• Building rehabilitation
• Code compliance upgrades
• Accessibility improvements
• Upper-floor redevelopment
• Building expansions
• Signage improvements
• Other permanent building improvements that support downtown revitalization

All improvements must comply with local building codes and applicable regulations.

Projects must have a minimum total investment of $20,000.

The maximum grant award is $200,000 per project.

This is an increase from the previous HELP Grant Program, which capped awards at $100,000 per project.

The program requires a 25% applicant match for a grant award of 75% of the project scope. For example:

Total Project Cost	Grant Amount	Applicant Match
$20,000	$15,000	$5,000
$100,000	$75,000	$25,000
$266,666	$200,000	$66,666

To receive the maximum grant award of $200,000, a project must have a total eligible cost of at least $266,666.

Yes.

Applicants who previously received funding through the HELP Grant Program may apply for additional funding up to the difference between their prior HELP award and the current $200,000 project cap, while maintaining the required 75/25 match.

Note: Previous grant awards do not guarantee future funding. All applications must still meet current program requirements and successfully complete the competitive review process.

Example
A property owner received a $100,000 HELP Grant in a previous funding round.
Previous HELP Grant Award: $100,000
Remaining Eligible Grant Funding: $100,000
Maximum Additional READI Grant Available: $100,000
To receive the full additional $100,000 grant, the applicant would need a new project totaling at least $133,333, consisting of:
READI Grant: $100,000 (75%)
Applicant Match: $33,333 (25%)

Certain projects may qualify under the program’s look-back provisions.

Only round 1 will allow reimbursement for eligible expenses incurred on or after August 2, 2024.

Applicants should review program guidelines carefully to determine whether previously completed or ongoing work qualifies.

Yes.

An individual, business, or organization may apply for funding for up to two separate projects on separate parcels.

No.

All work must be completed by qualified third-party contractors. Self-performance by the property owner, business owner, or nonprofit is not eligible for reimbursement.

Property tax-paying nonprofit organizations are eligible to apply for funding if they meet all other program requirements.

Yes.

Unlike previous programs, signage improvements are now an eligible expense under the Downtown Revitalization Grant Program.

Yes.

Building expansions are eligible provided they meet all program requirements and contribute to the revitalization of the property and surrounding commercial district.

The program operates on a reimbursement basis. Applicants are responsible for paying project costs upfront and submitting documentation for reimbursement of eligible expenses.

Applications will be reviewed based on factors such as:

• Project readiness
• Economic impact
• Downtown revitalization benefits
• Building condition improvements
• Private investment leveraged
• Alignment with community development goals
• Compliance with program requirements

Applicants should be prepared to provide:

• Project description
• Cost estimates or contractor bids
• Property ownership documentation
• Project timeline
• Photographs of existing conditions
• Evidence of matching funds
• Any required permits or approvals
• Additional requirements may apply depending on the project.