The Acworth DDA - A Great Resource for Businesses, Residents and Visitors.

Click here to download Facade Grant Application Forms.

The Acworth Downtown Development Authority along with the Acworth Mayor and Board of Aldermen are actively working to promote economic revitalization in all parts of the DDA's district.  The Downtown Development Authority's district runs from the Cobb/Paulding County line on the north along Main Street to McEver Road on the south side of downtown.

This is a two-fold effort for economic revitalization through facade improvements.  The first portion of the Building Reinvestment Program is the DDA ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN GRANT program.  These grants are aviailable to owners of commercial property in the Acworth DDA's district and will provide reimbursement grants for up to 50% of the cost of professional services to design improvements to an existing building facade (up to a maximum grant of $1,000).  It is the purpose of these grants to encourage major exterior renovations that are consistent with Acworth's unique architectural character.

Grant applications are available from the Acworth DDA office located in City Hall at 4415 Senator Russell Avenue, Acworth.  In order to be eligible for a grant, property owners (or lessees with a notarized Authorization for Work from the property owner) must apply for and and be approved for a grant prior to engaging an architect.  Completed applications should be submitted to City of Acworth staff for initial processing and review. 

The second aspect of this redevelopment incentive program is a Package of Redevelopment Incentives for exterior buildng renovation projects that have been designed through the DDA's architectural design grant program.  The package may consist of the following benefits (applications will be judged on the extent of improvement and considered on a case-by-case basis):

A.   The Building Reinvestment Grant:The City of Acworth will provide reimbursement on a 50-50 basis for approved facade improvements up to a maximum of $5,000.

B.   Business License Fee (Commercial Occupational Tax) Exemption for a period of time determined on a case-by-case basis by the Board of Aldermen 

C.    Building Permit and Plan Review Fees Exemption for approved projects participating under this program.

The criteria for reviewing requests for a facade grant or incentive package will include the following:

A.  Current condition of the subject property (vacancy, code violations, deteriorated exterior, obsolete signage, etc.).

B.   Extent of renovation (the degree to which the property is being improved).

C.    The economic and fiscal impact of the project (will the improvements result in business expansion, job growth, sales tax revenue, property tax revenue, etc.).

LOW INTEREST LOANS ARE AVAILABLE FOR COMMERCIAL VENTURES

The Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) and the Georgia Cities Foundation have low interest loans available for property acquisition,  and renovation and rehabilitation projects.  The Downtown Development Revolving Loan Fund (DD RLF) and the Georgia Cities Foundation revolving loan program offer low interest loans (3%) for short terms (10-15 years) for up to $250,000 each. 

Applicants for the DD RLF and Georgia Cities loans must demonstrate that they have a viable downtown development project and clearly identify the uses of the loan proceeds.  Once approved, the funds may be used for such activities as

• Real estate acquisition, development, redevelopment and construction.
• Rehabilitation of public and private infrastructure and facilities.
• Purchase and lease of equipment and other assets (on a limited basis).

Other incentives include the Revitalization Grants (Facade Grants) offered by the city which is open to businesses, churches and non-profit agencies.  The facade grant presently is a 50/50 matching grant that is capped at $2,000.  (Revitalization Grant projects within the two block area along Main Street between Lemon Street and Mill Street are limited to a maximum of $1,000 grant.)  Applications must be made in advance of any work and must be turned in to the DDA office in City Hall by the first of each month.  The Acworth Revitalization Grants Committee meets the 4th Thursday at 7 pm to review any applications and makes recommendations to the Mayor and Board of Aldermen who must rule on the application before work can begin.

The mission of the Acworth Downtown Development Authority is to "manage the process of downtown's economic development while preserving and promoting its downtown heritage."

 

Amanda Sutter is the director of the Acworth Downtown Development Authority, Tourism and HPC.  She can be reached at City Hall at 770-974-8813 or by email at asutter@acworth.org.

Click here to download Grant Application Forms.