The Town of Manchester is happy to announce that two programs utilizing American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds are now open to eligible town businesses!  Both programs aim to enhance commercial properties by promoting structural and aesthetic improvements to increase vibrancy and economic opportunity throughout the town.

The Planning and Economic Development Department encourages interested small business owners to visit the website below to view the application and guidelines for both programs. 

Website: https://manct.us/BizFunds 

Business Façade and Signage Improvement Fund Grant Program

The Business Façade and Signage Improvement Fund Grant Program offers reimbursement grants to eligible Manchester small business owners to improve the exterior appearance of commercial and mixed-use buildings and signage.

Grant Funding Guidelines

Examples of eligible expenses include but are not limited to: 

• Exterior repairs and renovations on commercial storefronts and facades visible to public streets, alleys, parking, and pedestrian walkway areas in compliance with all relevant zoning regulations and design guidelines.
• Expenses incurred within three (3) months prior to submission of the application qualify with acceptable documentation evidencing incurrence or payment of these expenses.

Grant Program Eligibility 

• Small business owners within the town of Manchester or potential owners with a signed contingency agreement.
• Independently owned and operated for a minimum of 10 years.
• Proof of negative financial impact during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Located on an arterial or collector road adjacent to a business zone.
• Grants require a dollar-for-dollar match by the applicant.

Business Investment Fund Grant Program

The Business Investment Fund Grant Program offers reimbursable matching grants to eligible Manchester small business owners for projects that address code, access, energy efficiency, or sustainability improvements and promote enhanced use of underutilized space to add jobs, value, and economic vitality.

Grant Funding Guidelines

Acceptable code compliance expenses include the items below:

• Building Code compliance, including ADA accessibility improvements, structural repairs, elevators and lifts, and other egress requirements
• Health Code compliance, including hazardous material removal
• Fire Code compliance, including fire suppression systems and fire separation requirements

Leasehold improvements intended to attract a transformative use to a vacant space are also eligible for this program, as are sustainability and/or energy efficiency projects.

Expenses incurred within three (3) months prior to the approval of the application qualify with acceptable documentation evidencing incurrence or payment of these expenses.

Grant Program Eligibility 

• Small business owners within the town of Manchester or potential owners with a signed contingency agreement
• Business must be independently owned and operated; LLC will be considered a business
• Grantees must show the business was negatively financially impacted during the COVID-19 pandemic
• Funds will be prioritized for existing multistory buildings 50 or more years old with proposed commercial, restaurant, industrial, mixed-use, or art-related uses

Questions? Contact the Planning & Economic Development Department for more information: [email protected] or 860-647-3044