PROGRAM INTRODUCTION

The City of Santa Cruz Storefront Beautification Grant Program will share the costs of improving and enhancing commercial storefronts with grants of up to $15,000 for storefront beautification projects that meet the program eligibility criteria. The program has has two goals:

1. Visually improve storefronts and streetscapes
2. Enhance prominent retail and commercial areas

The Storefront Beautification Grant Program will be awarded on a first come, first served basis to eligible applicants whose projects meet the storefront improvement eligibility criteria described below. Projects may include certain exterior façade improvements to first floor commercial storefront retail, restaurants, service businesses, or non-profit organizations. Additionally, the grant program will fund minor design services associated with eligible façade improvements.

PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY AND FUNDING

Applicant Eligibility

Applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria:

1. A commercial storefront property in the City of Santa Cruz serving a retail, food service, ground floor office, or personal service use; and
2. The applicant is a City of Santa Cruz business owner or City of Santa Cruz commercial property owner.
3. The business/tenant must have a City of Santa Cruz business license and there must be no active code violations on the building and/or business.

Funding and Project Eligibility

The City of Santa Cruz Economic Development and Housing Department has limited funding for this reimbursable Storefront Beautification Grant Program and grants will be administered in the order of complete applications received until funds are exhausted. The Storefront Beautification Program incentivizes existing and new businesses with improvements to their storefronts and is a tool to support the re-tenanting of vacant commercial spaces by improving curb appeal.

SECURITY CAMERA GRANT PROGRAM

In an effort to improve public safety and security in the City’s business corridors, the City of Santa Cruz Economic Development Office will prioritize grants to business and property owners within commercial areas of Santa Cruz to install security cameras and other surveillance-related equipment and services.

This program will also improve law enforcement’s abilities to investigate, arrest and prosecute crimes. The City will accept applications for security camera improvement projects on a rolling basis. The Security Camera Program reimburses owners of commercial buildings or businesses up to 50% of the total costs of eligible improvements, with a maximum reimbursement of $1,500 for a single commercial property. Previous projects implemented within one-year of the application may be considered for reimbursement.