Tioga County Local Development Corporation

Commercial Facade Improvement Program

Information Sheet

Eligibility Criteria

Commercial property owners may be eligible for the Tioga County Local Development Corporation (TCLDC) Commercial Facade Improvement Program. TCLDC has a total of $50,000 available for the Commercial Facade Improvement Program. This program provides a grant up to 50% of the total allowable project cost to a maximum amount of $10,000 to assist with facade improvements to commercial buildings. TCLDC financing is based upon the availability of funds at the time of final approval of your application. In general, the TCLDC will provide grant funding for the following facade improvement project elements:

Exterior Rehabilitation, including:

· Door Replacement

· Window Replacement

· Exterior Refinishing, including

Washing and painting of exterior facades

Repairs to deteriorated masonry to include chimneys, lentils, pilasters, and cornices

Repairs to exterior stairways and porches

Repairs to prominent structural features to include bell towers, turrets, marquees, and glass walls

Removal of non-original facades and rehabilitation to the original facade

· Signage/Awnings/Attached Lighting

Repairs to roofs, utilities and HVAC systems will not be funded. (Employee labor cannot be included as part of the equity contribution.)

The TCLDC will not provide funding for commercial facade improvement projects that are located outside the villages of Candor, Newark Valley, Nichols, Owego, Spencer, and Waverly or the hamlets of Apalachin, Berkshire, Richford, and Tioga Center.

The Commercial Facade Improvement Program application and all supporting documents (as listed below) must be submitted to, reviewed by, and approved by the Tioga County Local Development Corporation prior to the start of the proposed work:

• Application Form (Exhibit A)
• Contractor Proposal (Exhibit B)
• Plans and Specifications and/or Architectural Drawings
• Proof of Ownership of the Real Property
• Business Certificate of the business(es) occupying and operating in the building; if the business(es) is(are) not owned by the Owner, then a copy of the lease(s)
• Confirmation Letter from mortgage holder(s) of any outstanding balance and status of said mortgage loan(s)

All obligations of the Owner and Occupant to New York State, Tioga County and any other municipality must be current, including but not limited to any and all loan payments as well as real estate taxes, school taxes, and water and sewer payments on all properties owned in Tioga County.

Work on your project may not commence until both the Loan Committee and the TCLDC Board of Directors have approved your application.

Grant funds will be disbursed upon 1) completion of the project work and submission of a Certificate of Occupancy, 2) satisfactory inspection by the TCLDC, 3) submission of paid bills and/or receipts from the contractor(s), and 4) proof that the project is still eligible for grant funding.

The Grant funding awarded and disbursed may be converted to a loan in the event of a default. Default may occur if your building is sold or the business is moved during the initial ten (10) years of the grant or if the owner fails to comply with any mortgage obligations or is in default in payment of any municipal obligations including payment of taxes and water and sewer payments. Default may also occur in the event of any misrepresentation to the TCLDC at any time. In the event of default, the grant will be converted to a ten (10) year amortized loan at a variable interest rate of Prime Rate plus 3%, with payments to commence according to the terms and conditions of the Grant Agreement. The Grant Agreement will be recorded at the time monies are disbursed and considered as an encumbrance on the property.

Fees

Application Fee: $100.00 nonrefundable fee due at the time of application,

made payable to TCLDC

Recording Fee: Approximately $100.00, depending upon amount awarded,

due at the time of disbursement of grant funds

Standard Administrative Procedures

Recipients of TCLDC Commercial Facade Improvement financing shall comply with the following:

1. All applicable zoning and building code regulations
2. Procedures for the protection of historic and cultural properties, contained in 36CFR800
3. Environmental assessment procedures established under the State Quality Review Act and the National Environmental Policy Act, if applicable
4. Standards prescribed in accordance with Public Law 90-480 for design and construction of buildings to accommodate the physically handicapped
5. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Section 112(g) Public Law 92-65, amending the Public Works Act of 1965

The owner will be required to obtain and comply with all applicable Federal, State and Local governmental regulations, approvals, and permits required by law to be obtained in carrying out the work set forth in the Plans and Specifications.

The foregoing is for informational purposes only and should not be considered to be interpretative of the Grant Agreement to be executed or any other documents subsequently executed by the applicant and the TCLDC. The TCLDC has the discretion to reject or deny, in whole or in part, any application for any reason, even if the applicant meets the primary conditions set forth herein.

The deadline for filing completed applications shall be September 3, 2003 at 12:00 noon. Completed applications shall be delivered to LeeAnn Tinney, Business Administrator, Tioga County Office Building, Room 212, 56 Main Street, Owego, New York, 13827.