Downtown Building Grant

Central Business District Building Grant

The purpose of this program is to encourage Downtown property owners located between 1st – 7th Street, and between Kansas and Choctaw Avenue (see map) to make improvements to their properties being used for retail trade producing sales or use tax dollars for the City of Chickasha.

Applications are processed by EDC staff and subject to approval by the CEDC Board and City Council.

Incentive

$1 reimbursement for each $3 of private funds invested, with a maximum reimbursement of $25 per square foot, based on improvement square footage.

Eligible Uses

Eligible uses include:

  • purchase
  • façade
  • structural improvements
  • utility improvements
  • storage
  • roof repair/replacement
  • off-street parking
  • equipment
  • demolition
  • ADA compliance
  • flood proofing
  • Other qualifying uses approved at the discretion of the CEDC Board.

Application process

Central-Business-District-Building-Grant-2023Download
  1. The grant application must be completed in full and submitted to the CEDC.
  2. The application will be reviewed by the CEDC staff.
  3. The application will be reviewed by the CEDC Executive Board.
  4. The application will be subject to vote of the full CEDC Board, for recommendation to the City Council. See the meetings page for times and location.
  5. The application will be subject to approval by the City Council.

A project application may be turned down at any point.

The project must be completed no less than 18 months after the approval of the project by the City Council. An extension(s) may be permitted for projects determined to be incomplete by the appropriate deadline. Failure to complete the project within the specified timeline will result in forfeiture of grant awards.

  1. The resulting property usage must produce use or sales tax dollars for the City of Chickasha. The First Year Sales and Property Tax Projection Sheet must be completed and submitted with the application.
  2. Grant funds will not be distributed until project is complete per the specifications of the approved grant application, and/or a certificate of occupancy is received from the City of Chickasha.
  3. Projects must increase the real property value. The CEDC may require a copy of the lender's appraisal upon project completion if applicable or confirmation from county assessor.
  4. Properties in the Central Business District being purchased for a project that will produce use or sales tax may be eligible for the $1 reimbursement for each $3 of private funds invested with a maximum reimbursement of $25 per square foot. Purchase price may be eligible upon grant approval by the CEDC Board and City Council but is not guaranteed funding if the grant is not approved. Property can be a building, vacant land or a building to be demolished as long as the property is used for improvement of square footage, utility improvements, storage, off-street parking, equipment, demolition, ADA compliance, flood proofing, and other qualifying uses approved at the discretion of the CEDC Board.
  5. All reimbursements with grant funding, for both purchase of property and/or improvements will not be paid prior to verified completion of the project and/or a certificate of occupancy recieved by the City of Chickasha.
  6. Applicants may not apply and qualify for more than one grant per area of property renovated. Only one grant application will be accepted per area of property renovated. Each application submitted must sign the agreement committing to these guidelines. Funding will only be awarded per approved application, per independent inspection of premises and review of invoices. The CEDC may require the lender's construction inspection sheet if applicable. The CEDC may also require an architect's application and certification for payment upon project completion of issuance of the certificate of occupancy from the City of Chickasha.
  7. Grants are not transferrable. If the property is sold, the new owner would be required to apply for grant funding separately.
  8. Applications are reviewed in the order presented. Applicants must be in good standing with the City of Chickasha and Grady County regarding payment of utilities, taxes, and other assessments.
  9. All proposed projects must be planned, constructed, and completed by the applicant. The CEDC is not responsible for the completion of any proposed projects awarded funding.
  10. The applicant agrees to allow the CEDC or its agents access to buildings and improvements, when convenient for all parties, for inspection of work and progress of completion.
  11. Proposed projects should comply with all federal, state, and local laws, ordinances, rules, and regulations. The applicant shall obtain all required local, state, and federal permits prior to commencing construction. The CEDC is not responsible for obtaining any required permits for the proposed project.
  12. Applicants must provide proof of available funds to complete project. Applicants may not count any federal or state tax credits or the proposed grant money towards the proof of available funding.
  13. Property cannot be sold within 24 months after receiving this grant. If the property is sold within 24 months, applicant agrees to pay this grant back in full.

Eligibility Map