The City of Crystal Lake, in its continuing effort to support
the development and redevelopment of the community, has created a
matching grant reimbursement program for a limited number of new and
existing retail business and manufacturing business owners and operators
in the City.
[Amended 8-15-2017 by Ord. No. 7391]
A. The City intends to encourage and support job creation and further
investment in the Crystal Lake business community by building and
business owners. This program is designed to facilitate job creation
and to assist business owners in occupying vacant retail space in
the City. Through this program, the City will award grants to new
retail businesses collecting retail sales taxes for facade improvements
and for offsetting the purchase of furniture, fixtures, and equipment
(FFE). The City will award a retail business owner. The City will
award $0.50 for each dollar spent by such new retail business owners
who complete facade improvements or purchase FFE for their new business.
The total award for new facade improvements and FFE expenditures may
not exceed $10,000 for a new retail business occupying a vacant retail
space. All awards are subject to financial limitations established
by the City's appropriation ordinance.
B. Eligibility criteria.
(1) The program is open to any new sales-tax-revenue-generating business
that will occupy vacant retail space or a building or that will construct
a new building for its business.
(2) Applicant must meet a minimum annual taxable sales threshold of $150,000.
(3) Applicant's business must provide a stocked retail showroom for retail
products.
(4) Applicant must provide written proof of facade construction and/or
FFE costs.
(5) Applicant applying for funds for facade improvements must pay prevailing
wages in connection with the construction of such improvements.
(6) Applicant must file an application for grant funding prior to commencing
improvements.
(7) Grant recipient may apply after five years from the date of recipient's
previous award through the Existing Retailer Improvement Program.
(8) Applicant's business must be new to the Crystal Lake City limits;
in-town relocations are ineligible.
(9) Applicants are required to complete and submit an Illinois Department
of Labor Authorization to Release Sales Tax Information Form to City
staff as part of the required application documentation.
(10)
Award calculations may include both facade construction and
FFE costs, up to the maximum award amount.
(11)
Eligible FFE includes, but is not limited to, shelving, racks,
tables, chairs, furniture, point-of-sale systems, fixed computer equipment
used in the business operation, office furniture, and appliances.
(12)
Facade improvements must comply with all applicable codes and
ordinances.
(13)
Approved applicants shall be required to maintain their facade
improvements or FFE for the duration of the grant agreement with the
City of Crystal Lake, which shall be the lesser of five years or the
time by which the grant award has been recovered by the City through
sales taxes.
[Amended 8-15-2017 by Ord. No. 7391]
A. The City intends to encourage manufacturers to locate or expand their
businesses in Crystal Lake. This program is designed to encourage
new job creation and the related purchase of new equipment resulting
from the owner occupying vacant manufacturing space in the City or
expanding manufacturing operations through the construction of new
buildings or expansion of existing buildings. Through this program,
the City will award grants to new or expanding manufacturers for hiring
new employees and for offsetting the purchase of furniture, fixtures
and equipment (FFE) used in everyday operation. The City will provide
manufacturing business owners with a grant of $1,000 for each new
full-time employee (minimum 37.5 hours per week) hired upon commencement
of operations or directly relating to the expansion of the manufacturing
facilities. Not more than two persons holding any form of ownership
interest in a new industrial business may be included as employees
in any request for a grant award pursuant to this section. Additionally,
the City will provide a 50% matching grant to business owners who
purchase eligible FFE for their new manufacturing facility. New or
expanding manufacturers occupying vacant manufacturing space are eligible
for up to a $10,000 maximum grant award. Subject to the financial
limitations as established by the City's appropriation ordinance,
the City will match $0.50 per dollar on a business owner's investment
in eligible FFE for the interior of a manufacturing facility. All
awards are subject to financial limitations established by the City's
appropriation ordinance from time to time.
B. Eligibility criteria.
(1) The program is open to any new manufacturer that will occupy vacant
manufacturing space or a building, or that will construct a new building
for its business; or any expanding manufacturer that increases its
space by a minimum of 20% and adds additional jobs or purchases new
FFE.
(2) Applicant's business must develop and manufacture finished hard or
soft goods, provide technological products, equipment, or software.
(3) Applicant must provide written proof of employee recruitment and
of FFE costs.
(4) Applicant must file an application for grant funding prior to commencing
improvements.
(5) Grant recipient may reapply after five years from the date of recipient's
previous award.
(6) Eligible FFE includes, but is not limited to, shelving, racks, fixed
computer equipment used in the business operation, manufacturing/assembly
equipment used in everyday operation of the business, and office furniture.
(7) Award calculation may include both new employees and FFE costs, up
to maximum award amount.
(8) Approved applicants shall be required to maintain their employment
levels and FFE for the duration of the grant agreement with the City
of Crystal Lake, for a term of five years.
[Amended 8-15-2017 by Ord. No. 7391]
A. The City intends to encourage and support facade improvements and
further investment in the Crystal Lake business community by its current
building and business owners. This program is designed to assist business
owners in their efforts to expand and/or relocate within Crystal Lake.
Through this program, the City will award grants to existing Crystal
Lake retail businesses collecting retail sales taxes for expanding
their existing retail storefronts into space that was vacant immediately
prior to the expansion or for relocating within the City limits to
a larger retail space. This grant program will provide financial assistance
to such retailers for facade improvements and/or for offsetting the
purchase of furniture, fixtures and equipment (FFE) used in the expansion
or relocation. The City will match $0.50 per dollar on a business
owner's investment in eligible facade improvements and/or FFE for
the interior or exterior of a retail property. The building or business
owner who has funded the investment in the furniture, fixtures, and
equipment must first apply for and be approved in order to receive
the grant from the City. All awards are subject to financial limitations
established by the City's appropriation ordinance.
B. The total grant award available to an existing retailer pursuant
to this section shall be limited based upon the retailer's previous
annual taxable sales during the twelve-month period immediately preceding
the date of application for the grant award. Existing retail businesses
meeting the eligibility provisions of this section may be awarded
grants in accordance with the following schedule. Existing restaurants
and bars that will expand or add an outdoor seating area will only
qualify for a maximum of a $5,000 matching grant award regardless
of which annual taxable sales category they fit in, as long as the
minimum threshold of $150,000 in annual taxable sales is met.
[Amended 5-4-2021 by Ord.
No. 7709]
Annual Taxable Sales
|
$150K - $2.49K
|
$2.5M - $4.99M
|
$5M - $7.49M
|
$7.5M+
|
Maximum Grant Award
|
$5,000
|
$10,000
|
$15,000
|
$20,000
|
**Maximum grant award for new or expanding outdoor seating improvements
is $5,000 (for any business over $150,000 in sales).
|
C. Eligibility criteria.
(1) The program is open to any existing Crystal Lake sales-tax-revenue-generating
business that will:
(a)
Expand its current location by at least 20% in gross floor area
into space that was vacant immediately before the expansion and purchase
new FFE or that completes construction of facade improvements (excludes
businesses generating over $7,500,000 in annual taxable sales); or
(b)
Relocate to vacant space that is 20% larger than its current
location, in a new building or into a different existing building
not within the same shopping center and purchase new FFE or completes
construction of facade improvements (excludes businesses generating
over $7,500,000 in annual taxable sales); or
[Amended 5-4-2021 by Ord.
No. 7709]
(c) Bar or restaurant that is expanding an existing or establishing a
new outdoor dining area.
[Added 5-4-2021 by Ord.
No. 7709]
(2) Applicants must meet a minimum annual taxable sales threshold of
at least $150,000 in annual sales over the twelve-month period immediately
preceding the date of application for the grant award.
(3) Applicant's business must provide a stocked retail showroom for retail
products.
(4) Applicant must provide written proof of FFE costs.
(5) Applicants applying for funds for facade improvements must pay prevailing
wages.
(6) The grant award amount cannot exceed 50% of the applicant's expenditures
on eligible furniture, fixtures, and equipment.
(7) Applicant must file an application for grant funding prior to commencing
improvements.
(8) Grant recipient may reapply after 10 years from the date of recipient's
previous award.
(9) Award calculation may include both facade construction and FFE costs,
up to maximum award amount.
(10)
Eligible FFE includes, but is not limited to, shelving, racks,
tables, chairs, point-of-sale systems, fixed computer equipment used
in business operation, office furniture, and appliances. Eligible
outdoor seating FFE includes outdoor tables and chairs, umbrellas,
weather enclosures, heating appliances, and other types of appurtenances
to help establish comfortable and attractive outdoor seating options
for the City's restaurants and bars.
[Amended 5-4-2021 by Ord.
No. 7709]
(11)
Facade improvements must comply with all applicable codes and
ordinances.
(12)
Eligible facade improvements include, but are not limited to,
exterior brick cleaning; exterior tuck pointing; exterior painting;
wall facade construction, repair, and treatment; original exterior
architectural features repair or replacement; interior/exterior demolition;
and historic renovation to interior/exterior.
(13)
Approved applicants shall be required to maintain the FFE for
the duration of the grant agreement as noted by the commencement date
with the City of Crystal Lake, which shall be at least five years.
[Amended 8-15-2017 by Ord. No. 7391; 5-4-2021 by Ord. No. 7709]
Eligible investments for new and existing retailers include,
but are not limited to: shelving, racks, tables, chairs, point-of-sale
systems, fixed computer equipment used in business operation, office
furniture, and appliances. Eligible investments for new and expanding
outdoor seating includes outdoor tables and chairs, umbrellas, weather
enclosures, heating appliances, and other types of appurtenances to
help establish comfortable and attractive outdoor seating options
for the City's restaurants and bars. Eligible facade improvements
include, but are not limited to: exterior brick cleaning; exterior
tuck pointing; exterior painting; wall facade construction, repair,
and treatment; original exterior architectural features repair or
replacement; interior/exterior demolition; and historic renovation
to interior/exterior. Eligible investments for new manufacturers include,
but are not limited to: shelving, racks, fixed computer equipment
used in business operation, manufacturing/assembly equipment used
in everyday operation of the business, and office furniture. Furniture,
fixtures, and equipment not included within the eligibility list above
are subject to approval by the City Council.
[Amended 8-15-2017 by Ord. No. 7391]
The Retailer Job Creation and Investment Program and the Existing
Retailer Expansion and Relocation Program will not provide grant funds
to businesses that do not collect sales taxes or that do not meet
the minimum taxable sales threshold of $150,000 in taxable sales.
Furniture, fixtures, and equipment shall not include working capital,
debt refinancing, inventory acquisition, application fees, permit
fees, legal fees, or signage. Facade improvements where prevailing
wages have not been paid are also ineligible.
For applications that receive City Council approval, applicant(s)
must enter into a grant agreement with the City. The grant agreement
will specify occupancy time frames, requirements for proof of employment,
and early termination provisions.
Every project will be evaluated for the value of the project
improvements, the overall scope and extent of the proposed work, the
potential economic impact of the project, and other relevant criteria.
The staff review will consider the following aspects for its proposal
review (analysis of the application):
A. Aesthetic improvement value and occupancy.
(1) Improvement in overall site appearance.
B. Scope of new investments proposed.
[Amended 8-15-2017 by Ord. No. 7391]
(1) Value of fixtures, furniture, and equipment to be purchased.
(2) Potential economic impact.
(3) Use of the subject property as a result of the new business activity.
(4) Ways it will contribute to the economic vitality of the community.
(5) How the use is compatible with and/or complements mix of existing
uses.
[Added 2-21-2023 by Ord. No. 7904]
A. In a continuing effort to support the development and reinvestment in the business community and our workforce, the City of Crystal Lake has created a Commercial Facade Improvement Grant Program for property owners in connection with new and existing retail businesses within the City's B-1, B-2 and B-4 Zoning Districts. This program is designed to encourage property reinvestment and facade improvement and assist property owners in doing so. Through this program, the City will award matching grants for facade improvements to owners of properties in connection with new and existing retail and restaurant businesses which are located upon such properties and which are collecting sales taxes. The City will award $0.50 for each dollar spent by such property owners who complete facade improvements. The total grant award for new facade improvements may not exceed $30,000 and shall be based upon the square footage of a retail and/or restaurant space located within the building which is owned by the applicant and for which facade improvements are proposed. All awards are subject to further limitations set forth in §
228-32B and such financial limitations as may be established by the City's appropriation ordinance.
B. Eligibility criteria.
(1) Applicants are required to complete and submit an Illinois Department
of Revenue Authorization to Release Sales Tax Information form to
City staff as part of the required application documentation.
(2) Award calculations may include facade construction up to the maximum award amount set forth in §
228-32A and as further limited by §
228-32B(13).
(3) Facade improvements must comply with all applicable codes and ordinances.
(4) Eligible facade improvements include, but are not limited to:
(d)
Wall facade construction, repair, and treatment.
(e)
Original exterior architectural features repair or replacement.
(g)
Historic renovation to exterior, doors, electrical conduit/wiring
and fixtures, masonry, structural elements, windows, and exterior
paint.
(h)
Improvements to all elevations visible from a public way.
(i)
New window and frame for architectural improvement that is visible
from the street and is appropriately scaled to the building.
(j)
New storefront construction appropriately scaled within an existing
building.
(k)
New awnings (excluding bubble/round awnings) to buildings located
in the Downtown or Virginia Street Corridor Districts that are part
of a larger facade improvement project.
(l)
Street-level windows (glass) and doors are eligible only when
part of an overall larger facade improvement project.
(5) Improvements in the Downtown must be of an historic nature and matching
the existing look and materials in the surrounding area. Please contact
staff for additional questions and guidance regarding this requirement.
(6) Any retail business which serves as the basis for the owner/applicant
to qualify for the award of a grant must provide a stocked retail
showroom for retail products sold by such retail business.
(7) Any restaurant business which serves as the basis for the owner/applicant
to qualify for the award of a grant must be a limited-service or full-service
restaurant.
(8) Applicants must provide written proof of facade construction costs.
(9) Applicants must file and have City Council approval for grant funding
prior to commencing improvements.
(10)
Grants shall only be awarded to property owners for the rehabilitation
of commercial shopping centers or multistory mixed-use buildings containing
first floor retail/commercial space (leasing or common areas within
primarily residential buildings are expressly excluded).
(11)
Property owners may apply for one grant award for facade improvements
per site over the life of the program, regardless of the number of
additional facade improvement grant programs may be offered by the
City.
(12)
Property owners shall have 12 months after the award to complete
the project. Reimbursement is given after the building permit work
is completed and the final inspection is completed and approved by
the Building Department.
(13)
Maximum award amounts are based upon the size of the floor area
of the retail and/or restaurant business upon which the application
is based, within the building or shopping center, as follows:
Up to 10,000 square feet of floor area
|
$20,000 maximum grant
|
10,001 to 35,000 square feet of floor area
|
$25,000 maximum grant
|
35,001 square feet or more
|
$30,000 maximum grant
|
C. Ineligible projects. The Commercial Facade Improvement Grant Program
will not provide grant funds for working capital, debt refinancing,
inventory acquisition, application fees, furniture, fixtures, equipment
("FFE") permit fees, legal fees, or signage. Grant funding shall not
be provided in connection: 1) applications based upon existing businesses
which do not meet the minimum threshold of $100,000 in taxable sales
in the twelve-month period prior to the date of application; or 2)
applications based upon new businesses which do not submit projections,
business plans or other documentation to establish, as determined
by the City's Community Development Department, that such project
is likely to generate taxable sales of at least $100,000 during the
one-year period following the issuance of a certificate of occupancy
for such new business.
D. Grant agreement. For applications that receive City Council approval,
applicant(s) must enter into a grant agreement with the City. The
grant agreement will specify grant parameters, requirements for proof
of expenditure, and early termination provisions.
E. Administration.
(1) Any eligible business owner who wishes to apply for a grant can obtain
an application from the City. All applications for grants will be
accepted on a first-come, first-served basis and will be subject to
the financial limitations established by the City's annual appropriation
ordinance as established from time to time. Only completed applications
that include all required submittal documents and information will
be accepted. The City's Community Development Department will
review each application for accuracy and will determine if it meets
the requirements for funding. If the application is determined to
meet the requirements of the program, then the application will be
reviewed and approved administratively.
(2) If all available grant funds for a current funding cycle, as established
by the City's annual appropriation ordinance or otherwise, from
time to time, have been fully distributed, then applicants may be
placed on a waiting list to be considered for a grant when funds become
appropriated and available.
F. Required documentation.
(1) Eligible applicants who apply for the Commercial Facade Improvement
Grant Program will be required to provide documentation, drawings,
specifications, and estimates for the facade improvements. Applicants
also will be required to provide a signed Illinois Department of Labor
Authorization to Release Sales Tax Information form.
(2) Applicants must sign and submit an affidavit that the applicant has
paid prevailing wages, as established in accordance with the Illinois
Prevailing Wage Act, in connection with the construction/installation
of the facade improvements.
(3) After the retail and/or restaurant upon which the grant application
is based has obtained final approval by the City for the facade improvements
and, as applicable, a final certificate of occupancy, the applicant
must submit documentation, satisfactory to the Community Development
Department, which establishes the applicant's purchase of and
payment for the facade improvements, including receipts, cancelled
checks, or other documents which the City may require.
(4) Grant payments authorized by the City shall only be paid following
the submission by the applicant of all required documentation and
the issuance of final approval of the facade improvements and, as
applicable, the issuance of a final certificate of occupancy.