Midlothian Community Development Corporation is beginning a program to provide grants for businesses to improve their storefronts.
The purpose of the program is to provide financial assistance to property owners and business tenants wishing to renovate or restore commercial building façades, MCDC senior manager MeLissa Boler told councilmembers at Tuesday’s Midlothian City Council meeting. This can include signage, accessibility, lighting, and other visually appealing improvements.
The program is a 50-50 matching reimbursement grant, with a maximum amount of $25,000, Boler said. The funds will be awarded at the end of the project. Boler added that MCDC has earmarked $125,000 for the first year of the program, and later told the council that four entities have already reached out to MCDC expressing interest.
Applicants must comply with all state and local laws and regulations, and the improvements must be compatible with the character and architecture of the individual building as well as meet city building standards. Boler said the application process will be thorough, with detailed descriptions and illustrations required as well as vetting by city staff to ensure code compliance. Approved awardees will have one year to complete the work, she said.
“Priority is given to downtown, but they do need to be a sales tax driver,” Boler said.
Applications will be accepted beginning this weekend and lasting through Sept. 30, at which time Boler said the MCDC board will review its budget for the next fiscal year and determine whether the program should be continued or expanded.
The façade grant program meets two of MCDC’s priorities in its five-year plan, Boler said: downtown revitalization and small business. She added that the expenditure is allowable under Type B statutes as site improvement.
Also during Tuesday night’s meeting, Mayor Justin Coffman proclaimed 2025 to be a year of celebration and recognition for Al and Mukades Elmazi on the occasion of the 30th Anniversary of their restaurant, Villa Italiana.
The Elmazi family, including Al and his two sons and daughter, were congratulated by Maurice Osborn, representing State Rep. Brian Harrison’s office, and Melissa Shook, president of the Midlothian Chamber of Commerce, members of City Council and the community.
