1. READI Downtown Revitalization grants will be made based on competitive scoring criteria and there are limited funds available for the program.
2. READI Downtown Revitalization grants will be paid on a reimbursement basis or directly to the vendor.
3. READI Downtown Revitalization grant funds require a 75/25 match, and reimbursement will be seventy-five percent of the construction improvement costs or $200,000, whichever is less. Participants in the HELP Downtown Revitalization Program will be limited as described in item 19. The READI Downtown Revitalization grants must be matched by the building owner or business. READI Downtown Revitalization grant assistance is provided for permanent building and site improvements only. Reimbursement will occur after work totaling the grant award has been completed, invoiced and receipted by contractor.
4. Proceeds of the READI Downtown Revitalization grant shall not be used to: pay off or refinance existing debt not related to the project, pay salaries or applicant’s officers or employees, pay for the purchase or down payment for real estate, or pay income, real estate or other taxes or assessments.
5. The form of financial assistance will be a five (5) year forgivable loan (non-receding), forgiven in full at the end of the 5-year period. Participants must complete compliance reports up to twice annually through December 31, 2028. If the READI Downtown Revitalization grant project is sold or transferred following completion, the entire amount of the forgivable loan shall be repaid. However, upon mutual agreement and consent between the County/City/Town and the originally assisted property owner; the assisted property may be sold or transferred; but only if the new purchaser agrees to continue with the terms of the forgivable loan agreement.
6. Only an individual or business having a legal interest in the subject property may make an application. This includes: owner of the property, an individual, or entity holding a fully executed contract to purchase the subject property.
7. An application for the READI Downtown Revitalization grant must be approved prior to any work being started. For the first and second rounds only, an applicant may apply for eligible work completed dating back to August 2, 2024 to meet match requirements.
8. At the time of application, there shall be no taxes, fees or other debts owed to the County/City/Town by the applicant.
9. READI Downtown Revitalization grants will be for building improvements only.
10. The improvement must be completed within 12 months of being approved in order to be reimbursed.
11. All approved and funded READI Downtown Revitalization grant projects must utilize a licensed architect and/or engineer for design development and compliance, unless previously approved by the READI Downtown Revitalization Grant Program Review Committee (“Review Committee”).
12. The Review Committee reserves the right to reject grant applications for assistance for buildings deemed beyond reasonable repair.
13. As a condition of the grant, the Review Committee may provide a building inspection team to determine the most urgent building needs. This inspection report will be considered part of the grant application. Previous Main Street Building Analysis reports may also be considered.
14. The application for grant assistance will be considered within 30 business days after the grant application closes.
15. The same applicant is limited to two grant submissions for the Program.
16. One application is permitted per property parcel. Multiple addresses from one parcel with multiple applications will not be accepted.
17. Applicants must have a project that totals at least $20,000 to meet the minimum program threshold.

Applicants may request up to $400,000 in total funding, not to exceed $200,000 per project, for a maximum of two projects. If an applicant previously received funding for a project through the HELP Downtown Revitalization Program, they may apply for additional READI funds up to the difference between the prior HELP award and the $200,000 per-project cap. For example, if HELP Project A for an address received an $80,000 award, the same address with additional work may apply for up to $120,000 in READI funding, bringing the total combined funding for that project to $200,000.|

Eligible Exterior Façade Improvements

Materials, labor, equipment, and architectural/engineering design services, for exterior improvements to the front, rear or sides of buildings are eligible. Eligible improvements include, but are not limited to:

1. Doors and/or entry Replacement
2. Masonry Cleaning/Restoration
3. Storefront Redesign/Construction
4. Carpentry and Painting
5. Window Replacement/Restoration
6. Roof Repair/Replacement
7. New construction/expansion of existing building area
8. Signs used for advertising.
9. Repairs to existing wall, window, hanging, and monument signs advertising the business.

Eligible Interior Improvements

Eligible interior improvements include, but are not limited to:

1. Environmental Remediation (Lead Abatement/Asbestos Abatement, etc.)
2. Upgrades to Electrical Wiring
3. Upgrades to HVAC Systems
4. Upgrades to Plumbing Systems
5. Upgrades to elevator and sprinkler systems

Note: Building permits may be required for some of the eligible improvements listed above. It is critical that all businesses and building owners work with County/City/Town Planning/Inspection Staff on design and obtain all necessary permits before beginning work.

• Purchase/acquisition of property/equipment
• Routine maintenance is not part of an eligible READI Downtown Revitalization improvement project.
• Labor performed by unlicensed contractor.
• Improvements to in-eligible establishments.
• Self-Performance, including any work performed by a company owned or operated by the applicant or property owner.

1. The READI Downtown Revitalization Grant Program for Wayne County downtown districts assists with the renovation and rehabilitation of retail and commercial properties within Wayne County. The grant program is designed to encourage occupancy of unused space in designated downtown business districts and serve as a catalyst to preserve the structures that give these districts character and a unique sense of place. Changes to the façade of the building will not remove, alter, damage or cover up significant or historic architectural features of the building which are original or which reflect a major alteration that is itself architecturally coherent, or which help create a unified and attractive appearance to the building.
2. Changes to the façade of buildings will either; a) partially or fully restore to the appearance of a historic building based on actual evidence, including photographs, written documentation, data on the building or site or other data, or b) represent a modern treatment which blends into and is compatible with the building and adjoining buildings.
3. In general, the Review Committee will encourage repair and preservation of existing features of facades, unless alterations to these facades have resulted in an incoherent, unattractive, or inharmonious appearance.
4. For façades which have previously been substantially altered and for which a modern treatment is chosen, such a treatment will conform with the features, materials, rhythms, color and general appearance of the building and those adjoining, particularly if the building is one in a row of buildings with identical or similar design features.
5. Paint colors shall be compatible with adjoining buildings and colors. Trim, colors, which highlight building details, are encouraged. Spectacular colors shall be avoided.
6. The size, color and shape of signage should complement the building façade. ‘Floating’ letter and logo-type signs will be encouraged. Large box and rectangular-shaped signs will be discouraged.
7. The surface cleaning of the structures will be undertaken with the gentlest of means possible. Cleaning methods that damage the existing building materials shall not be undertaken.

Round 1 and Round 3 eligible area reference maps below. Round 2 unincorporated areas to be identified.

The Score Sheets are for informational purposes only (not to be completed by the applicant).