The City of Des Moines has announced a commercial grant program that may be applicable to businesses within your network.
The Neighborhood Commercial Revitalization program is a funding program targeted towards commercial, office, and mixed-use properties in neighborhood commercial nodes and corridors across the city.
Funds can be used for façade renovations and exterior site improvements, building stabilization, roof repair, installation of a fat, oil, grease (FOG) interceptor, installation of energy-efficient HVAC systems, fire sprinkler systems, electrical updates, and plumbing updates.
PROGRAM FUNDING:
Grants will be paid as a reimbursement. Progress payments may be considered for each project, determined on a case-by-case basis. At least 50% of the grant will be retained until project completion. Grants could be provided at a graduated rate as follows:
| NCR-Eligible Project Costs | NCR Grant Match (Maximum) |
| $20,000 to $99,999 | 50% of qualifying costs, up to $50,000 |
| $100,000 – $499,999 | $50,000, plus 15% of qualifying costs above $100,000, up to an additional $60,000 |
| $500,000 and above | $110,000, plus 10% of qualifying costs above $500,000, up to an additional $50,000 |
For example:
- A $60,000 project could receive (up to) a $30,000 grant matched by $30,000 in private funds.
- A $250,000 project could receive a grant of (up to) $72,500 ($50,000 + 15% of $150,000).
- A $750,000 project could receive a grant of (up to) $135,000 ($110,000 + 10% of $250,000).
The application and more information about the program can be found at https://www.dsm.city/departments/development_services/economic_development/neighborhood_commercial_revitalization_program.php.
This is a competitive program. We received quite a bit of interest in this program during the first round of funding (January 2021), and we expect a similar interest level for this current round.
**Something important to note – Applicants interested in the NCR program, regardless of project size, should sign up for a Pre-Application meeting. City staff will contact applicants after submission. Upon review of the Pre-Application request, City staff will determine if a formal Pre-Application meeting is required for the project. If a formal Pre-Application meeting is not required, City staff will examine the project information and provide feedback. Visit https://css.dmgov.org/EnerGov_Prod/SelfService#/home , select ‘Apply,’ ‘Plans,’ ‘Pre-Application Meeting,’ ‘Apply,’ and create account to finish the process. This process could assist the applicant in determining project requirements and cost. Applicants who go through the Pre-Application process should identify themselves as an NCR Applicant on the Pre-Application form.
