Business Grants

GRANT REQUIREMENTS

The Netcong Community Partnership (NCP) works to attract, retain, and promote businesses in order to
add to the quality of life and economic vitality of Netcong.

Our grant program provides funding to owners of new businesses moving to the Special Improvement
District or existing businesses that expand within the district. Expansion is defined as: adding square
footage to an existing building, acquisition of neighboring property, addition of outdoor seating or service
areas that thereby add taxable value to the property or moving to a larger facility within the district. A
maximum of $500.00 will be awarded to businesses that meet the following criteria:

Eligibility & Conditions:

• Owners or new tenants that are moving to (not within) the Special Improvement District. Owners or tenants of property currently located within the Borough of Netcong Special Improvement District and are expanding. Expansion is defined as adding square footage (taxable value) to the existing property. Tenants must apply jointly with property owners.
• Property must be current on Borough property taxes.
• Project components must have a useable life of at least ten (10) years
• All work must be completed within six (6) months from the date of NCP’s Notice of Award.
• Grants are awarded on a dollar to dollar match, not to exceed $500.00.
• Grant recipients must provide the NCP with photographs of aesthetic improvements before and after the completion of work. Photographs must be taken from the same vantage point. These photographs will be
  used by the NCP for marketing purposes.
• Grants will not be awarded for work completed prior to grant application date.
• Only one (1) grant per property within a five year period.
• Only one (1) grant per business within a five year period.
• All work must comply with all applicable laws, ordinances, building codes, and zoning ordinances and contractor or owner must secure proper permits prior to commencement of work.
• Once a grant is awarded, grant recipients must display the NCP Grant Award Signage in the window on the pedestrian side, in plain view of the public. Signage must remain in place a minimum of 60 days after the completion of funded project.
• Grants are awarded on a first come, first served basis contingent upon appropriated funds.

Eligible Costs

• Repair or replacement of front façade or addition of windows, doors, walls or other appropriate
  architectural elements
• Awnings or exterior canopies
• Conversion of storefront
• New outdoor café seating
• Restoration of historic elements (both interior and exterior)
• Exterior landscaping, outdoor cafes or seating areas
• All materials and labor for work performed in association with above-mentioned improvements

Ineligible Costs

• Property acquisition, mortgage, land contract financing or loan fees
• Building permit fees
• Maintenance items: Roofs, building systems, parking lots, electrical or mechanical work, etc.
• Interior renovation or work that is not associated with expansion
• Interior or exterior signage of any kind
• Furnishings, trade fixtures, display cases, counters, computers, equipment or other items taxed
  as personal property

Please note that the aforementioned examples of eligible and ineligible costs are not all-inclusive and
final determination of eligibility requirements are governed by the NCP Board.

Grant Payments

• NCP grants are awarded to recipients as reimbursements.
• All work must be in compliance with the aforementioned requirements and original receipts for
  work performed must be provided in order to receive reimbursement.
• In order to receive grant reimbursement, the establishment must be open for regular business.

Project Priorities

NCP Grants are competitive, meaning that the most viable projects will be selected for grant funding. The
more documentation (photographs, renderings, sketches, estimates) you are able to provide about your
project will increase your chances of receiving grant funding.

Applications containing the following characteristics will have priority in the appropriation of NCP funding:

• Projects containing a high ratio of private to public dollars
• Projects designed to resolve deteriorated, inappropriate or unsightly conditions that have existed for many years (boarded windows, deteriorated electrical fixtures, unsightly storefronts, etc.)
• Projects that enhance pedestrian movement from the rear to the front of buildings
• Projects designed to restore the historic condition of the building façade
• Projects that will complete the improvement of a block or portion of a block (ex. replacement of an
  inappropriate facade that exists on a block containing many appropriate, well-preserved, or improved facades)

Grant Funding Timeline

Please note that if the grant application deadline falls on a weekend or a holiday, the deadline for the
grant shall be the following weekday.

Grant Payments

• NCP grants are awarded to recipients as reimbursements.
• All work must be in compliance with the aforementioned requirements and original receipts for
  work performed must be provided in order to receive reimbursement.
• In order to receive grant reimbursement, the establishment must be open for regular business.

Supplementary Grant Information Checklist

• Attach a narrative describing in detail how this project will benefit the Special Improvement
  District and a description of your project.
• Attach architectural plans, renderings, sketches or illustrations depicting the work to be
  performed.
• Attach a breakdown of the costs associated (estimates) with your project. Please include the
  entire project cost and the amount you are requesting.
• If grant applicant is a new business owner, please attach a copy of your company’s business plan
  with this application.

Please return grant application and supporting documentation to:
Netcong Community Partnership
Executive Director
23 Maple Avenue
Netcong New Jersey, 07857

Please contact ncp@netcong org or 734-324-7298 for questions. For more information on the NCP
please visit our website at www.gonetcong.org