(revised 5/16/11)

The Concord Downtown Development Corporation offers five grant programs to assist both property owners and business owners in improving the visual quality of their buildings, signs, and interior spaces. These grant funds are part of an annual budgeting process and are subject to renewal each year.

In all cases:

- The grants must be matched dollar for dollar with private sector funds.

- The grants are a reimbursement, the project must be paid for in full by the applicant and receipts presented for reimbursement.

- The project must be approved by the CDDC grant committee PRIOR to the start of any work or in the case of the sign and awning grants the purchase of a sign or awning.

- Prior to submitting an application, a pre-application meeting with the City of Concord planning and Neighborhood Development Department is required to confirm the work described in the application meets the Center City Design Ordinance.

JUMP-START GRANT PROGRAM

 Grant application deadlines:  7/6/11 (awards announced 7/21/11), 9/7/11 (awards announced 9/29/11), 12/7/11 (awards announced 12/22/11), 3/7/2012 (awards announced 3/22/2012)
The Jump-Start Grant Program was created to encourage the location of businesses in specific categories to the Municipal Service District of downtown Concord. The grant is a one-time reimbursable matching grant in an amount up to $1,500 which may be used to assist in interior building improvements and other start-up expenses related to opening the business. The application must be submitted and approved by the Business Development Division PRIOR to beginning the project. The categories of business types targeted are as follows:

Books
Apparel/Accessories
Home Furnishings/Accessories
Restaurants
Drug Stores
Sporting Goods
Hobby, Toy, Games
Grocer
Artisan Studios/Galleries
Other unique businesses may be considered

For more information, contact CDDC, 704-784-4208, or visit the office located at 30 Cabarrus Avenue, West.

SIGN GRANT PROGRAM

 Grant application deadlines:  7/6/11 (awards announced 7/21/11), 9/7/11 (awards announced 9/29/11), 12/7/11 (awards announced 12/22/11), 3/7/2012 (awards announced 3/22/2012)
The Sign Grant Program was designed to assist business owners in the design and funding of signage for downtown businesses. These reimbursement matching grants cover up to 50 percent of the cost of the design and production of signage and will not exceed $350.00. Funds may be used for the signage that includes the business name, street address, hours of operation and other such secondary business information. The application must be submitted and approved by the Design Division PRIOR to the purchase of the sign. For more information, contact CDDC, 704-784-4208, or visit the office located at 30 Cabarrus Avenue, West.

AWNING GRANT PROGRAM

Grant application deadlines:  7/6/11 (awards announced 7/21/11), 9/7/11 (awards announced 9/29/11), 12/7/11 (awards announced 12/22/11), 3/7/2012 (awards announced 3/22/2012)
The Awning Grant Program was designed to assist business owners in the design and funding of awningsfor downtown businesses. These reimbursement matching grants cover up to 50 percent of the cost of the design, fabrication, and installation of awnings and will not exceed $1000.00. Funds may be used for awnings that includes the business namenand street address on the valance. The application must be submitted and approved by the Design Division PRIOR to the purchase of the awning. For more information, contact CDDC, 704-784-4208, or visit the office located at 30 Cabarrus Avenue, West.

RESTORATION & BEAUTIFICATION GRANT PROGRAM

 Grant application deadlines:  7/6/11 (awards announced 7/21/11)
The Restoration & Beautification Grant Program was created to encourage practical, but architecturally appropriate design of downtown building façade renovations located within the Municipal Service District (MSD) and served by Concord Downtown Development Corporation (CDDC). Only exterior improvement projects are eligible. These reimbursement matching grants are shared between the owner and CDDC on a 50/50 matching basis. The maximum CDDC contribution is $2,500. All grant applications must be approved by the Design Division PRIOR to beginning the project. For more information, contact CDDC, 704-784-4208, or visit the office located at 30 Cabarrus Avenue, West.

UPPER FLOOR GRANT PROGRAM

Grant application deadlines:  7/6/11 (awards announced 7/21/11)
The Upper Floor Grant Program was created to encourage investment in renovating and restoring upper floors of buildings within the Municipal Service District of downtown Concord. High priority is placed on expanding the usefulness of downtown properties for office and residential use. This is a reimbursement matching grant program, with the costs being shared between the owner and CDDC on a 50/50 matching basis. The maximum CDDC contribution may not exceed $2,500. All grant applications must be approved by the Design Division PRIOR to beginning the project. For more information, contact CDDC, 704-784-4208, or visit the office located at 30 Cabarrus Avenue, West.

For more information, contact CDDC, 704-784-4208, or visit the office located at 30 Cabarrus Avenue, West.