Grants
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Town of Ayden Façade Grant Program
If you are a property or a business owner seeking to rehabilitate your storefront, this is the opportunity for you! Even the smallest design changes can bring a spark to your building and attract visitors and shoppers. The appearance of a downtown and the buildings in it also plays a huge part in the general public's impression and opinion of a town. The Facade Grant provides economic incentive to improve buildings' visual impacts and create a downtown aesthetic to attract more visitors and investment in downtown Ayden.
The Facade Grant is a 50% reimbursement match of up to $2,000. It is available for all business and property owners in downtown Ayden. Examples of possible improvements include:
Applicants are highly encouraged to utilize the free design services offered by the NC Main Street Program. To take advantage of this, fill out the form here and return to the Program Coordinator, Nina Yao, at nyao@ayden.com. She will submit your request or work with you to submit the form. You will receive a design rendering within several months. Using this free service increases the chances that your application will be accepted.
The Facade Grant is a 50% reimbursement match of up to $2,000. It is available for all business and property owners in downtown Ayden. Examples of possible improvements include:
- Historic renovation
- Removal of false fronts and metal canopies
- Safe cleaning of brick storefronts: chemical stripping, scraping, and water wash (power washing is not recommended)
- Painting/repainting
- Approved awning installation
- Structural repairs (excluding floor and roof)
- Approved sign installation
- Address information: numerals, building name
- Updating entrances to be ADA compliant
Applicants are highly encouraged to utilize the free design services offered by the NC Main Street Program. To take advantage of this, fill out the form here and return to the Program Coordinator, Nina Yao, at nyao@ayden.com. She will submit your request or work with you to submit the form. You will receive a design rendering within several months. Using this free service increases the chances that your application will be accepted.
An example of how the free design services were used in Goldsboro.
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This pharmacy has an entirely different character after renovations.
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Energy Efficiency Grants and Resources
There are many energy efficiency grants, rebates, and financial resources to help you make your business more energy efficient. Oftentimes, old buildings, outdated heating and cooling systems, and infrastructure can lead to high utility bills and inefficient energy usage. Utilize these resources to find funding to replace heating/cooling systems, install newer infrastructure, and repair your building so you can focus your finances on your business!
Rural Energy for America: Renewable Energy Systems & Energy Efficiency Improvement Loans & Grants
The program provides guaranteed loan financing and grant funding to agricultural producers and rural small businesses for renewable energy systems or to make energy efficiency improvements. Funds may be used for renewable energy systems, such as small and large solar generation, biomass, or small/large wind generation. Funds may also be used for the purchase, installation, and construction of energy efficiency improvements, such as HVAC systems, insulation, doors and windows, or replacement of energy-inefficient equipment.
Get more information about this program here.
Energy-Efficient Commercial Buildings Tax Deduction
The Federal Energy Policy offers a tax deduction for owners of commercial buildings who install (1) interior lighting, (2) building envelope, or (3) heating, cooling, ventilation or hot water systems that reduce the building's total energy and power cost by 50% or more in comparison to a building meeting minimum requirements in the most recent ASHRAE Standard 90.1. These deductions are primarily available to building owners, although tenants may be eligible if they make construction expenditures.
Get more information about the tax deduction here.
Utility Rebate Look-up: LED Lighting & Controls
LED lighting systems are more energy efficient than incandescent. Certain kinds of installations may qualify for a rebate from your utility company. Use this resource to see what products qualify.
Rebate look-up is here.
Rural Energy for America: Renewable Energy Systems & Energy Efficiency Improvement Loans & Grants
The program provides guaranteed loan financing and grant funding to agricultural producers and rural small businesses for renewable energy systems or to make energy efficiency improvements. Funds may be used for renewable energy systems, such as small and large solar generation, biomass, or small/large wind generation. Funds may also be used for the purchase, installation, and construction of energy efficiency improvements, such as HVAC systems, insulation, doors and windows, or replacement of energy-inefficient equipment.
Get more information about this program here.
Energy-Efficient Commercial Buildings Tax Deduction
The Federal Energy Policy offers a tax deduction for owners of commercial buildings who install (1) interior lighting, (2) building envelope, or (3) heating, cooling, ventilation or hot water systems that reduce the building's total energy and power cost by 50% or more in comparison to a building meeting minimum requirements in the most recent ASHRAE Standard 90.1. These deductions are primarily available to building owners, although tenants may be eligible if they make construction expenditures.
Get more information about the tax deduction here.
Utility Rebate Look-up: LED Lighting & Controls
LED lighting systems are more energy efficient than incandescent. Certain kinds of installations may qualify for a rebate from your utility company. Use this resource to see what products qualify.
Rebate look-up is here.
Other Grants
Rural Business Development Grant
This program is designed to provide training and technical assistance for small rural businesses. Small means that the business has fewer than 50 new workers and less than $1 million in gross revenue. The funds may be used for things such as:
Get more information about this grant here.
North Carolina Main Street Solutions Fund
The purpose of the North Carolina Main Street Solutions Fund is to provide maximum support to small businesses in designated "micropolitans" located in Tier 2 and Tier 3 counties and/or in designated North Carolina Main Street communities.
The grants will be used to assist planning agencies and small businesses with efforts to revitalize downtowns by creating jobs, funding infrastructure improvements and rehabilitating buildings.
With the Town of Ayden's upgrade to "Main Street" status, we now may qualify for these grant funds. We are in the process of working with the Department of Commerce to determine how the program will benefit our Main Street Program and small businesses. For more information about the Main Street Solutions Fund, please visit the Main Street website.
This program is designed to provide training and technical assistance for small rural businesses. Small means that the business has fewer than 50 new workers and less than $1 million in gross revenue. The funds may be used for things such as:
- Technical assistance, such as project planning, business counseling, market research or feasibility studies.
- Acquisition or development of land, easements, or rights of way; construction, conversion, renovation of buildings, plants, machinery, equipment, parking areas and utilities.
- Leadership and entrepreneur training.
- Business strategic planning.
- The capitalization of revolving loan funds, including funds that will make loans for start-ups and working capital.
Get more information about this grant here.
North Carolina Main Street Solutions Fund
The purpose of the North Carolina Main Street Solutions Fund is to provide maximum support to small businesses in designated "micropolitans" located in Tier 2 and Tier 3 counties and/or in designated North Carolina Main Street communities.
The grants will be used to assist planning agencies and small businesses with efforts to revitalize downtowns by creating jobs, funding infrastructure improvements and rehabilitating buildings.
With the Town of Ayden's upgrade to "Main Street" status, we now may qualify for these grant funds. We are in the process of working with the Department of Commerce to determine how the program will benefit our Main Street Program and small businesses. For more information about the Main Street Solutions Fund, please visit the Main Street website.