Commercial Corridor Exterior Grant Program

The Commercial Corridor Exterior Grant Program is a funding initiative administered by the City of Fayetteville's Economic and Community Development Department (ECD) and revised most recently in March 2023. It is designed to promote economic development and revitalization within the city's designated low to moderate-income block groups. The program focuses on incentivizing private investment in commercial properties to enhance their exterior appearance and promote job creation and retention. Funding for the grant comes in part from Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds, a federal source requiring that funded activities benefit low- and moderate-income persons. This grant aims to stimulate improvements that contribute to eliminating blight, modernizing properties, aligning them with current design standards, and encouraging sustainable economic activity in key redevelopment areas. Qualified projects must be high-impact exterior improvements to commercial properties, such as façade renovations, signage, lighting, and landscaping visible from public rights-of-way. Applicants are eligible for reimbursement of up to 50% of the total cost of approved improvements, with a maximum grant award of $25,000 per property. The minimum project budget must be at least $10,000. In some cases, grants exceeding this cap may be considered by the ECD Director and Grant Committee based on the project’s potential to significantly impact the corridor. Eligibility for this program is limited to owners of commercial properties or business owners/managers operating in the designated low-moderate income block groups in Fayetteville. If the applicant is a tenant, they must submit an Owner Consent Form with the application. Improvements must be retained for a minimum of three years. A clawback provision applies if funded improvements are removed, or the property is leased to an ineligible business during that period. Additionally, federal requirements like the Davis Bacon Act may apply to projects receiving over $2,000 in federal funds, including wage reporting and monitoring protocols. All projects must undergo an Environmental Review Process before construction begins, which can take up to 90 days. Applications are submitted through the City’s Neighborly software portal. Required documentation includes business financials, proof of ownership or lease, design plans, cost estimates, and photographs of existing conditions. The grant approval process involves a review by the ECD Director and a Grant Committee comprising representatives from the City Attorney’s Office, Finance Department, and the ECD. Approved projects must be completed within six months of approval, and reimbursement requests, with receipts and proof of payment, must be submitted within 30 days of project completion. The program emphasizes equitable development, and compliance with Section 3 of the HUD Act is required for projects exceeding $200,000. Section 3 aims to ensure that economic opportunities are directed toward low- and very low-income persons and businesses that employ them. Eligible exterior expenditures include a wide range of improvements that go beyond standard maintenance, and they must align with development plans and design guidelines. Landscaping work is prioritized when integrated with broader site improvements. This grant operates on an annual cycle, with only one award allowed per property per year. Although no specific application open or close dates are listed in the source document, the structure of the program and the use of annual cycles indicate that it is a recurring opportunity. Interested applicants are encouraged to contact the ECD before applying to confirm eligibility, project scope, and compliance with federal and local development guidelines.

Applicants are encouraged to contact the ECD for pre-review and must comply with development standards