BIDDEFORD – Those interested in making improvements to commercial property in Biddeford’s downtown and mill distract can learn about a grant program offered by the city at a noon workshop on Thursday at Think Tank in Biddeford.
Program administrators, Community Development Coordinator Linda Waters and Economic Development Coordinator Brad Favreau, will discuss the requirements of the 2019 Downtown Improvement and Business Assistance Program.
The purpose of the program “is to enhance the exterior façade of downtown buildings, make certain eligible interior improvements, and/or help building owners achieve and maintain Code compliance,” according to a city press release. “This program is restricted to commercial buildings in Biddeford’s downtown core.”
Commercial property owners or business owners with buildings located in the downtown and mill district can apply for up to $30,000, which must be matched dollar-for-dollar – in-kind work does not apply – on a first-come, first-serve basis. There is a rolling deadline and applications that meet the requirements will be granted funds until money runs out, Favreau said.
Grants can be used by businesses to correct code violations, and for first time be used to make aesthetic improvements by those who create at least one full-time or two part-time jobs for people who have a low to moderate income, which is considered to be below 80 percent of the area median income. According to the U.S. Census, area median income for a household in 2017 was $49,812 for Biddeford and $62,618 for York County. However, the income restrictions vary depending on the number of people in a household, Waters said.
In the past, Favreau said “many wanted to do that type of (aesthetic) improvement but it wasn’t allowed.”
By adding the job creation component it broadens the type of projects that can receive funds, he said.
Although Biddeford has offered facade improvement grant and loan programs off and on since 2006, it wasn’t until last year that funding was provided from a portion of the city’s allocation of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Community Development Block Grant.
Previously the program was paid for through the city’s TIF funds, a special pool of money that cannot be alloted to the general fund and is used for downtown and mill district improvements.

That was “a very small pot of money,” Favreau said. “It wasn’t enough  money to make any meaningful improvements.
This year, over $100,000 can be used from CDBG funds for the grant program, Favreau said, which he said can pay for more substantial renovations.
Grants do not have to be paid back, he said. However, if a grant receipient received funds under the job creation criteria and did not create a full-time equivalent job within 18 months, the funds would have to be returned.
Favreau said he hopes that this year’s program is more successful than last year when six applied for funding but for various reasons were ineligible.
Part of the reason none were funded is because of the stringent requirements mandated by HUD, Favreau said.

Adding the job creation component and catching people earlier in the planning process should allow for more successful applications, he said.
“We’re trying to catch people who are right in the concept stage,” Favreau said. “Once a contractor is hired, it’s too late,” he said, as one of the HUD requirements is to have bids from three contractors.
Favreau noted that the application process is a long one as several types of reviews as well as City Council approval are required.
In addition to the grant program, Business Assistance Loan Funding is also available to help finance a broad variety of commercial projects. Applicants must meet a number of lender requirements. “Projects such as storefront improvements, exterior lighting and restoration of historic appearance may be considered, with the loans administered by the Southern Maine Finance Authority,” according to the press release. For more information on SMFA, located in Saco, call 282-1748, or visit the website smfamaine.org.

Those interested applying for the  for the Downtown Improvement and Business Assistance Program are encouraged to attend Thursday’s workshop or contact Favreau at brad.favreau@biddefordmaine.org or by phone at 571-1612 for additional information about the program. Applications can be found on the biddeford website at Biddefordmaine.gov or at Biddeford City Hall at 205 Main St.
The workshop, is being held through a collaboration of the Biddeford Planning and Development Department and the Heart of Biddeford’s Entrepreneurs Group and is sponsored by Saco and Biddeford Savings Institution. It will take place at noon Thursday, Aug. 15 at Think Tank in Pepperell Center (40 Main St.), Biddeford.
-Managing Editor Dina Mendros can be reached at 780-9014 or dmendros@gmail.com