FaCade Improvement Grant Program

The East Montgomery County Improvement District's (EMCID) Facade Improvement Grant Program provides funding for commercial property owners and business owners/managers in EMCID's boundaries for qualified exterior building and site improvements. Approved applicants are eligible for a 50% reimbursement on eligible expenses up to $10,000 and a 30% reimbursement on additional eligible expenses for a maximum grant amount of $10,000.

The purpose of the Facade Improvement Program is to support the revitalization of businesses within EMCID's boundaries by stimulating private investment in high-quality improvements that enhance the appearance of buildings and properties, eliminate blight, address non-conforming design standards and stimulate private investment to aid in the revitalization of the area’s commercial corridors.

The businesses within EMCID's boundaries are located along I69/US 59, Loop 494, FM 1314, FM 1485, SH 242, FM 2090, Northpark Dr. and SH 99/Grand Parkway. Expenditures eligible for reimbursement include those solely related to exterior building improvements (cosmetic and/or structural) and site improvements.

PROGRAM GUIDELINES

APPLICATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED AND APPROVED IN WRITING BEFORE FAÇADE CONSTRUCTION BEGINS. GRANTS WILL NOT BE AWARDED TO PROJECTS THAT ARE UNDER CONSTRUCTION OR COMPLETED.

FUNDING: Program funding is limited; this program is administered contingent upon available funding.

ELIGIBILITY: Applicants: Eligible applicants include owners of commercial properties and business owners/managers located in designated boundaries within EMCID. (Click here to see a map of EMCID's boundaries.)
· Owners must have owned the building before January 1, 2021
· Tenant must have been in business at the location before January 1, 2021
· Business owners/managers leasing a building for which improvements are proposed must submit a Property  Owner Consent Form with their application
· Only businesses whose existing use is allowable by the EMCID's current regulations are eligible for funding through the Façade Improvement Program
· Previous recipients of a commercial corridor facade improvement grant (at least 7 years ago)
· Applicants and/or property owners must be current on all property taxes
· No liens against the applicant and/or property owner, excluding normal financing or partnerships
· Property and all proposed improvements must face and be visible from the public right of way
· Ability to meet program insurance requirements
· Project must be completed within six (6) months of commencement

Eligible Areas: (Click here for a map of EMCID's boundaries.) 

· I69/US 59

· Loop 494

· FM 1314

· FM 1485

· SH 242

· FM 2090

· Northpark Dr.

· SH 99/Grand Parkway

 INELIGIBILITY:
Applicants:
· Franchisors and Franchisees (local or non-local)
· Gambling/Gaming business
· Sexually oriented business
· Payday and Auto Loan providers
· Liquor stores
· Tobacco, CBD, and Vape stores
· Government-owned and/or occupied buildings
· Any business in which an EMCID employee or officer has a financial interest

ELIGIBLE EXPENDITURES:
Expenditures eligible for reimbursement include those solely related to exterior building improvements (cosmetic and/or structural) and site improvements. Please see Attachments A and B for guidelines regarding eligible and ineligible expenditures.

Contractor and Vendor Information:
Q: What are the contractor requirements for this program?
A: EMCID requires all contractors to be licensed by the city (if applicable), county, and state before the issuance of any funding. Contractor license requirements vary depending on the type of work to be performed.

Q: Do I have to use a specific contractor?
A: If your proposed project work requires the service of a contractor(s), bids from two different contractors must be submitted as part of your application. If permits must be pulled as part of your project, the contractor must be registered with the applicable permitting authority. If permits are not necessary for the work in question, the contractor does not need to be registered.

APPLICATION PROCESS:
Applicants must submit the following information:
· Completed application.
· Photographs of existing building and site
· Plans and/or elevations of proposed improvements
· Detailed description of materials including color samples and product specifications
· Detailed itemized cost estimates/quotes for the proposed exterior building and site
· Improvements
· IRS W-9 Form
· Property Owner Consent Form (if applicant is not the property owner)

Following review of the application by the Façade Improvement Committee, written notification will be provided to the applicant stating whether the application was approved as submitted, approved with changes, or disapproved. If approved, the notification will include the estimated reimbursement amount. The estimated reimbursement amount is based on cost estimates/quotes for eligible expenditures submitted by the applicant with the application. Final reimbursement is recalculated based on paid receipts for eligible expenditures documented and submitted by the applicant upon project completion.

RIGHTS RESERVED:
· The Facade Improvement Project Committee reserves the right to request further information from the applicant or visit the applicant's property to evaluate the merit of the applicant's proposed improvements.

· The Facade Improvement Project Committee reserves the right to request modifications of a proposed design. If the applicant chooses not to make the requested modifications, the Façade Improvement Project Committee reserves the right to deny funding.

· The Facade Improvement Project Committee reserves the right to deny funding to applicants who are delinquent in the payment of federal, state, or local taxes with the conditions of the program and projects that are not constructed according to approved plans.

· The Facade Improvement Project Committee reserves the right to deny funding to projects not completed within one year of approval.

· The Facade Improvement Project Committee reserves the right to approve reimbursements greater than the maximum allowable if: 1) such as an extensive job creation, or 2) a significant increase in sales tax, or 3) the project has the potential to make a significant economic impact on the surrounding area.

 

REIMBURSEMENT PROCESS:

Final grant reimbursement is recalculated based on paid receipts for eligible expenditures documented and submitted by the applicant upon project completion. Applicants who qualify for a reimbursement grant must document all expenditures and submit proof of payment (receipts, paid invoices, final contractor billing statements, etc.) for all eligible improvements within 60 days of completion. Documents must be submitted in Portable Document Format {"PDF"). Documents submitted for reimbursement will clearly define and itemize expenditures that pertain specifically to the exterior building and site improvements. Once construction is complete, the Façade Improvement Program and EMCID will verify improvements were constructed in accordance with the approved plans. The Facade Improvement Program and EMCID will then, provide the applicant with a one-time reimbursement.

REIMBURSEMENT FORMULA:

The reimbursement formula for the Facade Improvement Program provides a one-time reimbursement for qualified exterior building and site improvements. Approved applicants are eligible for a 50% reimbursement on eligible expenses up to $10,000 and a 30% reimbursement on additional eligible expenses for a maximum grant amount of $10,000.
Example: If an applicant's total approved eligible expenses equal $26,666.67, the applicant would be eligible for a $10,000.00 reimbursement grant. [($10,000.00 x 50%) + ($16,666.67 x 30%)] = $10,000.00.

Architectural/Historical Features (preservation, cleaning, repair, replacement)

Awnings, Canopies, Sunshades

Cornice Repair

Decks/Patios

Door Removal/Replacement

Enclosures/Screening (for equipment and/or trash visible from public right-of-way)

Exterior Trim Work

Exterior Wall Finishes

Gutters and Downspouts

Landscaping (only landscaping improvements that bring sites into compliance, to the extent practicable will be considered)

Lighting

Masonry Repairs and Tuckpointing

Painting

Parking Lot Improvements

Power Washing/Sandblasting

Professional Fees (architects, engineers or other design consultants associated with the production of documents required for submission) *up to the maximum 20% of costs pertaining to exterior building and site improvements

Roofing and/or Roofing Repairs *up to the maximum of 50% of costs visible from public right-of-way

Side and Rear Improvements may be eligible in cases where improvements are visible to the public from public right-of-way

Sidewalk Improvements

Signage

Storefront Modifications

Window Bar Removal and Disposal

Window Removal and Replacement

 

Amenities (non-permanent amenities including but not limited to bike racks, planters, plants for planters

Demolition (unless tied to replacement)

Enclosures/Screening (equipment and/or trash enclosures not visible from the right-of-way)

Fees - Equipment, Insurance, Management, Permit, Tap Utility, Waste Disposal Fees (dumpsters, lifts, porta-potty, etc.)

Heating and Air Systems

Improvements not visible from public right-of-way

Improvements required due to violation or citation

Interior Improvements/Renovations

Lead Hazard Abatement

Ordinary Maintenance and Repair (defined as any work involving the in-kind replacement of existing material with equivalent material for the purpose of protective or preventative measures to keep a structure or its systems in good working order, and where the purpose of such work is stabilization, and further, where such work will not make a noticeable change in the exterior appearance of the resource.0

Property Acquisition

Refinancing of Existing Debt

Sweat Equity or Unpaid Labor, performed by the owner, friends, relatives, etc. cannot be used as a portion of the cost incurred in the improvement project. Labor costs will be reimbursed only if performed by a licensed contractor legally operating in East Montgomery County.

The undersigned owner of the existing building located at the address above certifies that the applicant above operates and intends to operate a business at the above location. The undersigned agrees to permit the applicant and its contractors or agents to implement improvements listed on the East Montgomery County Improvement District's (EMCID) Facade Improvement Program application. The undersigned hereby waives any claim against the East Montgomery County Improvement District arising out of the use of said program funds for the purpose outlined in the application. The undersigned agrees to hold the East Montgomery County Improvement District harmless for any charges, damages, claims or liens arising from the applicant's participation in the East Montgomery County Improvement District's (EMCID) Facade Improvement Program. For more information or questions, please contact the EMCID office at 281-354-4419.

All applicants must submit a Texas Ethics Commission Form 1295 with their application.

How to Complete a Form 1295

1. Login or create a new account. When logging in, you will select “Business Entity” in the drop down menu.
2. Click “manage my 1295 forms.”
3. Start a new certificate.
4. Enter the name of the non-profit organization, city, state and country.
5. Click on “other governmental entity.”
6. For “Agency/Entity Name” enter East Montgomery County Improvement District.
7. Enter the Contract ID number provided to you by the offices of Marks Richardson PC, (713)942-9922.
8. Provide a description of goods and services to be supplied by applicant in reference to the grant.
9. Check the box that indicates there is no interested party.
10. Click “next.”
11. Click the box that states, “I swear, or affirm, under penalty of perjury that the information is true and correct.”
12. Fill in the name of the authorized agent for the organization.
13. Fill in the name of the person filling out/submitting the form, if different than #12.
14. Click “submit.”
15. Print the form and sign it.
16. Submit the original signed certificate in the blank below.

By signing the space below, you are certifying that all information is correct. When you press the submit button, you will receive an email confirmation that your application was received. Please print it for your records and retain it as verification of your application.