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Grants Program The Douglas-Coffee County Chamber of Commerce and the City of Ambrose has partnered for downtown façade matching grants in an effort to improve the visual image and economic vitality of the local community. The façade renovation matching grant will assist businesses in completing capital improvements to their buildings. Each individual matching grant awarded under this program shall be limited to no more than $500 and shall be distributed as 50% reimbursement for completed projects ($1 spent by private investor to be matched by $1 from grant funds, not to exceed $500). Applicants must demonstrate that awarded funds will be dedicated to improvements to the exterior of their buildings which fronts Vickers Street in Ambrose, Georgia Allocation The City of Ambrose has set aside a total of $3,500 for Ambrose Business Improvement Façade Grant Program with program review and assistance to be provided by the Ambrose Business Improvement Committee. A Committee will be appointed and will consist of a five (5) member team, 2 persons to be appointed by the Chamber of Commerce and 3 persons to be appointed by the City of Ambrose. Funds allocated and not distributed due to non-compliance or failure to receive approved applications will no longer be considered dedicate funds for the program. Committee The Committee will review all application and address each on an individual basis. The Committee reserves the right to suggest changes to applications if those changes are deemed critical to the visual appearance of the area. If the Committee sees fit to approve an application, written notice to proceed will be given to the applicant, business owner, and Mayor/Commission. This document would serve as a contractual agreement for allocation for funds, IF all requirements are met by the applicant. Once written notice to proceed is delivered, a $25 participation fee will be required from the applicant before work can began. This fee will be used as membership support for the Committee to the Chamber. The payment of this fee will be considered acceptance of the letter to proceed. The Committee will collect all documents required once work is complete and prepare report for Mayor/Commission for disbursement of funds. Eligibility To receive an award under this grant program, an applicant must be a property owner or business owner for property located along Vickers Street. Capital improvements must be made to the exterior of a building and include, but are not limited to, painting, structural repair/replacements, windows, masonry cleaning, signage, permanent landscaping. (Roof repairs, interior repairs, or repairs to exterior walls not facing Vickers Street are not eligible unless said wall are highly visible façade facing another paved street or road). Applicant MUST pay for all costs of improvement prior to submitting documents (receipts) for reimbursement. Application Process Applications will be accepted through December 1, 2005. The first deadline for project review will be October 15th, 2005. After this date, applications will be reviewed on a first come basis IF allocations of funds remain. Applicants must complete pages 2 & 3 of this document for review. Additional pages may be submitted if necessary. Awarded projects must be completed within 12 weeks of approval or no later than March 30, 2006 (which ever comes first) to be eligible for reimbursement.
For additional information, call 384-1873 or e-mail chamber@douglasga.org
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