ARPA Pilot Program - Business Improvement and Expansion Grant

On November 1, 2022, the City of Leavenworth launched a new program to help businesses meet accessibility and fire suppression improvements to existing buildings. This program is funded through federal dollars provided by the American Rescue Plan Act. Funds will be available on a first-come, first-served basis until program dollars have been expended. To enroll, please:

1) Review the program guidelines.
2) Fill out the application in the links below.

The purpose of this grant is to provide financial assistance to help businesses overcome the potentially prohibitive costs for adding fire suppression and Americans with Disabilities Act accessibility improvements to existing buildings.

Goals:

• Provide financial assistance to help overcome the initial high cost of fire suppression and ADA accessible improvements.
• Encourage better utilization of existing business spaces.
• Increase the quality of available business spaces to draw new business to Leavenworth.
• Support Community Risk Reduction (CRR) fire safety efforts.
• Lower building insurance premiums.

Criteria:

• $200,000 ARPA grant funding available on a first-come, first-serve basis until funds are expended
• 50% of eligible expenses up to $30,000
• Can cover smaller project amounts (ex. $10,000 grant on a $20,000 project)
• Citywide, existing buildings (Eligible zoning includes NBD, OBD, CBD, GBD, PUD with specified business use or lawfully existing non-conforming use business inside a residential zoning district.  Home-based businesses not eligible. Zoning available at www.GIS.FirstCity.org )
• Must directly support a current or identified business (speculative business space, residential, and non-profit is not eligible)
• New or expanded business activity must comply with zoning regulations regarding use
• For improvements made or under contract to be performed between November 1, 2022 and December 31, 2024 (Mandatory ARPA timeframe)
• City funding will follow all applicable federal ARPA guidelines
• Improvements made before November 1, 2022 are not eligible (the grant is not retroactive)
• Grant approval required before eligible work begins
• Eligible improvements will remain with the property to support a future business should the building be sold or re-purposed:
  • Engineer/architect plan development expenses
  • Leavenworth Waterworks main connection fees
  • Installation and supply costs from a licensed contractor for fire suppression installation and ADA accessible improvements
• Eligible Waterworks fees apply to initial connection only for new fire suppression system (inspection costs, annual fees, and water usage not eligible)
• Eligible fire suppression work includes initial sprinkler system installation (not repairs/maintenance of existing system)
• For projects where equivalent life safety improvements such as egress could support a change in use, expansion of service area, or increased occupancy in lieu of fire suppression system installation, those equivalents may be considered for grant funding
• Interior ADA accessibility improvements should follow current accessibility standards (specific guidance can be found here https://www.access-board.gov/ada/ )
• Eligible ADA accessibility improvements may also be eligible for the State of Kansas tax credit (https://www.ksrevenue.gov/prtaxcredits-disabled.html )
• Business/building owner must pay for full project cost and submit copy of cancelled check or contractor’s paid invoice as proof of payment before grant funds will be reimbursed for work
• All grant-funded project work subject to inspection and verification of program guidelines and permit requirements before funding is released
• Eligible work may also require other permits or approvals (ex. building permit or historic preservation approval)
• Work performed must comply with all other permit, licensing, and other requirements from federal, state, and local governments including the City
• Accessory units not eligible
• Can utilize the Small Business Economic Development Grant (if eligible) or the Business Improvement and Expansion Grant (not both for the same expenses)
• Only one Business Improvement and Expansion Grant provided per business, location/address, or building owner (whether single or multiple business tenants). If tenant receives grant then the building owner is not eligible (and vice versa).
• Completed application and professional contractor quote for work required
• Quote acceptability is subject to City staff approval.  Staff may require second quote if necessary.
• City not responsible for any costs incurred in the creation of grant application or gaining of professional quotes
• Incomplete applications or those submitted without required quotes will be returned for completion and future submission
• Grant recipients are responsible for any necessary state and federal tax reporting
• Grant information including business name, funding amount, and building improvements will be publicly available for program transparency
• Businesses may submit a grant application for engineer/architect fees for development of life safety and ADA accessible plans.  After plans are developed, businesses may submit a second grant application for installation/supply costs and Waterworks connection fees tied to enacting those plans.  Grant approval for second application contingent on available grant funding and subject to the $30,000 grant maximum for all eligible expenses.
• The City reserves the right to determine, at its sole discretion, which projects are eligible for grant funding

For questions, please contact Assistant City Manager Penny Holler at (913) 680-2602 or Penny.Holler@FirstCity.org