Building Improvements & ADA Upgrades Grant Program
**Accepting applications until March 31, 2023!**
About the Program
The City of Frostburg's Building Improvements & ADA Upgrades Grant is available to owners of commercial properties within the City's Sustainable Community boundary. The purpose of this grant program is to provide financial incentives that will encourage upgrades that increase accessibility and appropriate, attractive improvements to downtown buildings. This will increase their longevity, raise property values, and enhance the streetscape aesthetics for residents and visitors to enjoy. This grant program is administered through the City's Community Development Department using funds awarded by the State of Maryland's Department of Housing and Community Development.
Eligible Projects
• Framing, windows, accessibility, electric and plumbing upgrades, sprinkler installations, and necessary finish work to make/improve viable commercial or office space in currently unused or underutilized interior spaces.
• Exterior front or rear building façade improvement, including walls, windows, doors, entranceways, decorative features, signs, and other building frontage elements visible from a public street (not including side walls or roof work)
• Priority given to projects that increase ADA accessibility will be prioritized.
Ineligible Projects
New construction, demolition, and site work may not be funded through this program. Also, certain business types are not eligible for project funding. State-prohibited beneficiary uses are: any pawn shop, gun shop, tanning salon, massage parlor, adult video/book shop, adult entertainment facility, check cashing facility, gambling facility, tattoo parlor, or liquor store. Strictly religious (sectarian) uses are also not permitted by State regulation.
Terms and Conditions
The Frostburg Building Improvement program is a grant of up to 50% of total cost for general maintenance projects. Improvements related to ADA accessibility are eligible to receive up to 75% of the cost of those elements. The applicant shall not proceed with construction until an agreement is signed with the City and all required approvals have been obtained. All work must be completed by a Maryland licensed contractor.
Reimbursement
The City will reimburse the owner up to 50% of approved project costs (75% of ADA elements) upon the City’s receipt of documentation of expenditures, including invoices and canceled checks (typically 2-3 weeks). Expenditure of private funds must be documented to the City’s satisfaction before reimbursement. No design costs will be reimbursed.
