April 21, 2022

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

City Launches New Façade and Interior Improvement Grant Program

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - The City of Morgantown is now accepting applications for a new Façade and Interior Improvement Grant Program in the city’s general business district, which primarily includes the downtown and waterfront areas.

To help offset the rising cost of materials and doing business, commercial property owners and business owners can apply for up to $20,000 in grant funds to rehabilitate a building’s façade or make interior improvements. This is a reimbursable grant requiring a 30 percent match from the business or property owner.

“Ensuring Morgantown has a vibrant downtown and waterfront area is critical to the city’s long-term growth and prosperity,” said Morgantown City Manager Kim Haws.

Some basic requirements of the program are that construction work must not have started on the proposed project prior to applying and being approved for the grant and applicants must be in good standing with local taxes, fees, and licensing. Detailed eligibility requirements for the grant program can be found in the program guidelines available on the city’s website at www.morgantownwv.gov/ARPA.

All applications and supporting documents should be submitted by 4 p.m. on June 2 to Rodney Bohner, Senior Planner with the Development Services Department – Planning and Zoning Division. Applications can be emailed to rbohner@morgantownwv.gov or delivered to the Planning and Zoning Division at 389 Spruce Street, Morgantown, WV 26508. Applications received after June 2 will be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis, funds permitting.

While not required, staff encourages prospective applicants to schedule a pre-application meeting to discuss a potential scope of work and the program guidelines. All proposed exterior improvements are subject to review and approval by the West Virginia State Historic Preservation Office. Partially completed applications will not be reviewed.

The Façade and Interior Improvement Grant Program was one of the projects identified in the city’s ARPA Action Plan, which was approved by Morgantown City Council last fall. The Plan allocated $200,000 in ARPA funds for the Façade and Interior Improvement Grant Program.

“Our hope is that these funds will help businesses and property owners that want to make improvements but maybe have been unable to because of the pandemic,” said Haws.

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