Brunswick Downtown Development Authority (DDA) is a public corporation created by legislation to revitalize, develop, and promote the Downtown Brunswick district. We are proud to play an important role in the economic development of downtown Brunswick. Our purpose is to redevelop the business district, promote new business, trade, commerce, industry and employment opportunities. The DDA works to create a warm and inviting environment for new and old business. DDA provides new businesses downtown with important resources and assistance, including information about grants and loans, commercial property listings, small business start-up information and contact information. There are certain powers that the DDA is entitled to because it is created by legislation and is considered a city entity. The DDA has the authority to make policies and decisions regarding downtown. DDA also has the power to offer tax-exempt financing. The DDA consists of seven members on the board of directors, eight members on the advisement board, an executive director, program manager and program assistant. Regular meetings are held the second Wednesday of each month at 8 a.m. at Old City Hall. Meetings are open to the public. Our Mission: The DDA promotes and develops businesses downtown through recruiting efforts, actively providing leadership, economic resources, design assistance, cooperative advertising and promotions. Our Vision Historic Brunswick an interesting, charming and thriving town. Our Approach The DDA follows the Main Street four-step program, the four points are: Organization Promotion Economic Restructuring Design Staff Matthew Hill - Executive Director Juanita Taylor - Executive Assistant The Brunswick Downtown Development Authority (DDA) established a grant program to encourage meaningful exterior improvements to properties and promote economic development in the DDA district. This reimbursement grant is intended to preserve and restore historic properties and details and encourage projects which are compatible with Downtown Brunswick's historic character. Criteria for Facade Grant Approval Requests for grants will be reviewed, and approved or denied, based on the funds available and in the order in which they are received. Applications will be reviewed with the following considerations: Historic or architectural significance of the building. Potential impact of the project on the Downtown streetscape in general and on the building in particular. Location of the building-visually prominent areas and economically blighted areas will be stressed. Overall cost of the project Quality of the proposal and adherence to procedure. Need of applicant and willingness to implement entire rehabilitation design. Availability of funds. Program Requirements Property must be commercial and income producing. Grant money will be awarded on a matching 2:1 basis for eligible expenses. Limits are $500 on signage, $1000 on building elements and $5000 cap per year on large development* projects. Applicants must be the building owner or tenant. Self contracted projects require itemized list of materials with a labor cap of $20.00 per hour. Contractors must supply a detailed written estimate. Grants are limited to one (1) per business mailing address during any twelve (12) month period. Re-application for the same item or project within a 36 month period on the same property is not permitted. Work must begin within 45 days of approval and be completed within 180 days of commencement. Grants will be paid following completion of the project and presentation of paid invoices to DDA. Facade Grants will not be awarded in lieu of routine maintenance, an insurance claim or for what may be viewed as an insurance claim. Any improvements must conform to the Secretary of Interior' s Standards for Rehabilitation, the Brunswick Historic preservation Ordinance and the DDA Design Guidelines. Incomplete applications may incur approval delays. Eligible Actions Painting, cleaning, masonry repair, repair and/or replacement of architectural details, and repair and/or replacement of windows and doors including storefront on all exterior facades. Restoration, repair, or removal of old signs or the design, production, and installation of new signs which meet design criteria and are approved by the Design Review Committee and DDA. Historic signs will be given consideration. Purchase, installation, or restoration of exterior lighting fixtures for design enhancement or security. The purchase and installation of new awning with frames. Ineligible Actions Demolition of historically or architecturally significant buildings or features. Sandblasting of brick or masonry surfaces. General periodic maintenance, including the replacement of canvas awnings on existing frames. Improvements made prior to grant approval Frequently Asked Questions What is a facade? The visible surface in architecture; the face of a building, especially the principal or front face showing its most prominent architectural features. *What is a large development project? Any facade project with two or more adjoining addresses. Why are there caps? There are limited DDA funds allotted to Facade Grants. Caps are set to allow access to funding for all eligible applicants throughout DDA' s fiscal year. What guidelines do we follow? The Design Review Board and the DDA adhere to the Secretary of Interior' s Standards for Rehabilitation and the Brunswick Historic Preservation Guidelines. Copies are available at DDA or the Building Inspector's office. What colors can I use? Color choice is not within the purview of the grant. Can I use the grant on my residence? No, only commercial, non-residential, income producing property within the DDA district is eligible. Design Assistance The DDA office can provide design assistance and consultation through affiliation with the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation. The consultant will meet with a business or property owner to discuss color selections, improvements, building upkeep and repair, and make recommendations. The DDA office also maintains a resource library concerning repairs and rehabilitation of historic properties, and the design guidelines developed for Brunswick. Federal and State Incentives A portion of Downtown Brunswick lies within a designated National Register Historic District. Certain properties within this district are eligible for a 20% federal tax credit and a state property tax abatement for qualified rehabilitation projects. In order to receive these tax credits and incentives, approval of the design work is required before work begins. The DDA office has information for the federal and state programs. Low Interest Loan Pool Low interest loans for interior and exterior rehabilitation and property acquisition are available through the Downtown Development Authority, the City of Brunswick, Coastal Area District Development Authority and participating banks. These funds are offered at a blended rate at or slightly below the Prime Rate. For more information, contact the DDA office. TO APPLY DOWNLOAD THE FACADE GRANT APPLICATION (pdf file) or contact: Downtown Development Authority 1229 Newcastle Street P.O. Box 684 Brunswick, GA 31521 Phone: 912-265-4032 Fax: 912-265-8181 Email: Email www.brunswickgeorgia.net Goal: The endeavors of the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) and the Brunswick Glynn County Development Authority will combine in assisting new retail businesses in the Downtown Development Authority District with start-up costs. General: Grants are only available to business start-ups based in the Brunswick DDA district which have not yet begun trading. Grants can be up to 100% of eligible costs to a maximum grant of $1,000. Applications must be submitted and approved prior to starting date. Previous business owners must show proof of preceding success. The project must result in new job creation, which can include the proprietors' own jobs. Grants are limited to one per applicant per year All grants are discretionary Eligible Costs: Productive equipment Office equipment, including computers Rent and/or lease deposits Utility deposits Ineligible Costs: Merchandise for resale or raw materials Vehicles Working capital Purchase of an existing business Application Criteria: Applicants will need to provide a business plan demonstrating viability and including details of project expenditure. Assistance with preparation of a business plan is available from an appropriate enterprise agency. Applicants will need to demonstrate that they have sought and received advice and support from an appropriate business support agency, local authority or own professional advisor. Must provide copy of new business license Must provide copy of signed lease or property ownership Payment: Grants will be paid in arrears on receipt of proof of purchase or payment of deposit. Other evidence of a transaction, including bank statements, may be required. Grants will be paid in one installment. Grant checks will be made payable to the applicant. Grants must be claimed within 8 weeks of approval. Repayment conditions: Repayment of the grant may be demanded if an applicant is found to have made a fraudulent application, or if, within a period of three years from the payment of the grant, the recipient: Ceases to trade for a period of three months or more. Moves the business out of the Brunswick DDA District. Process: Complete application. Present for approval. Receive grant acceptance letter. Provide required documentation. Receive reimbursement. Ineligible businesses: Agriculture, fishing, amusement arcades, transport, including bus, taxi and drayage, maritime and aviation transport, self employed sales agents, ticket agents, landlords, providing legal or accountancy services, banking, insurance, money lending, debt factoring, hire purchase financing and other financial activities, independent financial advisers, projects which have as their object the promotion of political or religious views, social clubs, night clubs, pornography, nudity, illegal or immoral activities. A business will not become eligible for support by means of a change of status, for example from a sole proprietorship or partnership to a limited company The Brunswick Downtown Development Authority (DDA) reserves the right to add to, delete or amend any condition at the Board' s absolute discretion and any such addition, deletion and / or amendment shall be totally binding upon the applicant. TO APPLY DOWNLOAD THE JUMP START REIMBURSEMENT GRANT APPLICATION (pdf file) or contact: Downtown Development Authority 1229 Newcastle Street P.O. Box 684 Brunswick, GA 31521 Phone: 912-265-4032 Fax: 912-265-8181 Email: Email www.brunswickgeorgia.net Downtown Development Authority • P. O. Box 684 • Brunswick, Georgia 31521 912-265-4032 • Fax 912-265-8181 • Email

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