Downtown revitalization program an opportunity to enhance businesses

If you have looked around the square recently, you may have noticed that some of the businesses have improved the front of their building. From awnings to windows and signage we have seen some small changes that make a big difference. 
Most of these updates are due to the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Downtown Revitalization (DTR) program, which the City of Aurora received in November of 2022. This commercial façade/rehabilitation grant allows business and building owners located in the downtown improvement area (within one block of the square) to apply for forgivable loan funds through this program. Funds are available to enhance the front of a business up to $50,000 per building with the applying business matching 25 percent of the requested funds.
As with any grant program there are strings attached, and one of the most important ones is that all businesses or building owners planning to use these funds need to have their project completed by April 2025, when the program ends. While April is still seven months away, there is a lengthy application process that can take almost three months to complete, so time is of the essence for people planning to apply, especially if you are located in a building that contributes to the historic district.   
While this program funding will cover a variety of updates to the facade of a building, the quickest updates that fit within the program include window replacement, new awnings or signage upgrades. These types of projects provide a large improvement and can be installed quickly, which is helpful given the amount of time left in the program. Additionally, since all projects will need to follow Davis Bacon reporting, projects that can be completed within a day or two have a streamlined process to make it easier on the contractors doing the work.  
There is still plenty of money in the fund so all businesses are encouraged to apply, but the funds that are not used by April will be returned and we will lose this great opportunity to enhance our square. If you are interested in applying, visit GrowAurora.com/dtr for more information and get started by collecting two quotes from contractors.  You can also reach out to my office, City Hall or the Aurora Chamber of Commerce for more information about this program.    
KELSEY BERGEN serves as executive director of the Aurora Development Corporation. She can be reached at kelsey@growaurora.com