FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 13, 2022

City Accepting Applications for Façade and Interior Improvement Grant Program on a Continual Basis

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - The City of Morgantown is encouraging downtown businesses to apply for the Downtown Façade and Interior Improvement Grant Program. Applications are now being accepted on a continual basis and are reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis, funds permitting.

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 to it. This is a reimbursable grant requiring a 30 percent match from the business or property owner.

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. 

All applications and supporting documents should be submitted to Rodney Bahner, planner with the Development Services Department – Planning and Zoning Division.  Applications can be emailed to rbahner@morgantownwv.gov or delivered to the Planning and Zoning Division at 389 Spruce Street, Morgantown, WV 26508.

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 several 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. 

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