Business Improvement Grant (BIG)

Objective:
The objective of the Business Improvement Grant program is to drive economic growth and sustainability within the Downtown Lewisburg Main Street area by encouraging private investment in business enhancements.

Program Overview

The Business Improvement Grant program aims to stimulate private investment within the Lewisburg Downtown Partnership’s Main Street Designation area, encouraging businesses to strengthen their operations and foster long-term growth. By combining private investment with grant funds, this program enables businesses to make critical structural or interior improvements, purchase and upgrade essential hardware and software, and implement systems to manage their operations more effectively, all with the goal of sustaining or expanding their presence within their current location.

Through these diverse investments in physical upgrades, technological improvements, and marketing, the Business Improvement Grant program strengthens the ability of downtown businesses to attract, retain, and expand their customer base, ensuring Downtown Lewisburg remains a vibrant and economically resilient Main Street district.

Grant Funding Details:

• Maximum grant award: $5000 per business.
• Match requirement: Please note that a 25% match of the total project cost is required. Example: for a project with total cost of $6,665, the grant fund reimbursement will be $5,000, and the applicant will have a required match of $1,665.50. Projects may have total costs of more than $6,665; but the maximum reimbursement from grant funds will be $5,000 per project.
  

Eligible Projects:

• Capital Improvements: Enhancements to Interior spaces, or structural elements that improve the aesthetic appeal and functionality of commercial properties.

• Hardware and Software Upgrades: Investments in technology to boost business efficiency, customer convenience, and operational integration.

Eligible upgrades include modernizing point-of-sale (POS) equipment and software, implementing inventory management systems, customer relationship management (CRM) software, and secure payment processing. Businesses may also develop e-commerce platforms, set up online ordering or reservation systems, and integrate POS with accounting software for seamless financial management. These enhancements enable businesses to better meet customer needs, streamline operations, and expand their digital reach.

• Connectivity Enhancements: Improving internet infrastructure to support high-speed transactions, online business functions, and customer engagement tools.
• Professional Marketing and Promotions: Supporting marketing campaigns, branding initiatives, or hiring professional services to increase visibility and attract new customers.

NOTE: The applicant is responsible for obtaining all applicable permits and a Certificate of Appropriateness from Lewisburg HARB, if applicable.

Ineligible costs:

Grant funds cannot be used for projects that have already been completed. Applications for completed work or projects will not be considered for funding.

• Facade improvements
• Labor provided by the property owner.
• Salaries/benefits.
• Operational costs including rent or mortgage, utility bills, inventory.
• Consumable supplies such as office supplies or cleaning supplies.
• Fees to secure other financing.

Financial and Additional Details

This is a matching grant program, and the total maximum grant per project will be $5,000. 

·         The applicant must obtain two bids/estimates for the work to be done from licensed contractors or suppliers and submit those bids/estimates with the completed application. 

·         A representative from the LDP Business Improvement Grant Review Committee will conduct a pre-approval inspection of the project location.

·         The applicant will meet with the Bucknell University Small Business Development Center (SBDC) to access consulting assistance, including feedback on the project. Note: the pre-approval inspection and SBDC consulting meeting can be scheduled to coincide.

·         Contractors and suppliers are paid by the applicant. 

·         When an approved project is completed, the work is inspected by an LDP representative. 

·         Upon completion of the project, receipts for all payments are forwarded by the applicant to the Lewisburg Downtown Partnership.

·         Lewisburg Downtown Partnership will reimburse three quarters of the cost of the project, up to $5000.  This allows a total project cost up to $6665.  Grant fund reimbursement for three  quarters of the total project cost would be $5000 with the required match of $1665.50. 

The total eligible activities may cost more than $6665; however, LDP only reimburses up to a maximum of $5000 per project. 

·         Applicants may submit one project for funding per grant application round.

The Pennsylvania Prevailing Wage Act (43 P.S. & 165-1 et seq.; 34 Pa. Code & 9.101 et seq.) may be applicable to this Project. If applicable, the Grant Recipient is responsible for including prevailing wage rates in all bid documents, specifications, and construction contracts pertaining to the project. The Department of Labor and Industry (L&I) has final authority to make all prevailing wage requirements.

Please Note: Prevailing Wage requirements are generally applicable to grants for construction, demolition, reconstruction, alteration, repair work, renovations, build-out and installation of machinery and equipment in excess of $25,000.00. Any questions as to final prevailing wage obligations should be directed to the Bureau of Law Compliance at 1(800) 932-0665.

The following is a step-by-step guide to applying for an LDP Business Improvement Grant. The application may be completed online. It is recommended that a potential applicant reviews the process with an LDP representative prior to initiating the application.

1.      Review of the LDP Business Improvement Grant Program guide.

2.      Confirm that your business address is within the Lewisburg Downtown Partnership’s Expanded Main Street Boundary (above).

3.      Obtain two estimates from licensed contractors for projects involving building facades, interior spaces, or structural enhancements. For other types of projects, provide two cost estimates from reputable businesses or vendors.

4.      See Eligible Projects section above or ask an LDP representative if you have questions about eligibility.

5.      Consider the potential for the project to be covered under the Pennsylvania Prevailing Wage Act.

6.      Complete the LDP Business Improvement Grant Application, attach contractor or supplier estimates, HARB approval documentation and approved Zoning Permit, if applicable.

7.      Attach drawings, project description and a check made out to Lewisburg Downtown Partnership for the $25 application fee.

8.      Upon approval of your grant application, a contract will be executed between the applicant and the Lewisburg Downtown Partnership acknowledging the grant commitment and the associated requirements for grant reimbursement.

9.     Optional: Schedule a pre-application meeting with an LDP representative to review the application details and requirements before submitting the application. 

10.  Projects must be completed within 120 days of the date of contract approval. If additional time is needed to complete the project, the applicant must submit a written request for an extension to the Lewisburg Downtown Partnership prior to the expiration of the 120-day period. The request should include the reasons for the delay and the proposed new completion date. Extensions will be considered on a case-by-case basis and must be approved in writing by the LDP.

11.  Upon completion of work, contact Lewisburg Downtown Partnership for a post-project meeting to approve reimbursement for the completed work.

Grant Application Review Procedure

Purpose:
To establish a clear and systematic process for reviewing and approving applications for the Business Improvement Grant program, ensuring fairness, transparency, and alignment with program objectives.

1. Application Submission

Applicants must submit the completed Business Improvement Grant application form along with required documentation, including two bids/estimates, if applicable, any necessary permits or HARB approval, and the application fee.

2. Initial Screening

• The LDP staff will conduct an initial screening of all submitted applications to ensure they meet the basic eligibility criteria outlined in the program guidelines. This includes:

• Verification of the business location within the LDP Main Street Boundary.

• Confirmation that the applicant is an established business, operational for a minimum of three years.

• Review of ownership approvals for projects involving tenants.

3. Review Committee Meeting

• The Grant Review Committee will convene to evaluate the eligible applications. The meeting agenda will include:

• Discussion of the alignment of each project with the program objectives and eligible projects criteria.

• Assessment of the potential impact of the proposed improvements on the business and the Downtown Lewisburg area.

4. Scoring and Prioritization

• The committee will utilize a standardized scoring rubric to assess applications based on criteria such as:

• Project feasibility and scope

• Projected impact on business sustainability and growth

• Enhancement of the Downtown Lewisburg aesthetic and functionality

• Readiness and preparedness of the applicant to commence the project

• Each committee member will independently score applications before the meeting. Scores will be aggregated to identify top candidates.

5. Recommendations for Funding

• Based on the scoring and discussion, the committee will make funding decisions for:

• Full funding

• Partial funding (if applicable)

• Denial (with justification)

• The committee will aim to prioritize projects that demonstrate the greatest potential for economic impact and community benefit.

6. Notification of Applicants

• Once funding decisions are made, LDP staff will notify all applicants of the committee's decisions, providing feedback for both approved and denied applications.

• Approved applicants will receive information on next steps, including scheduling a pre-project meeting and preparing for contract execution.

7. Documentation and Record-Keeping

• All application materials, scoring sheets, and meeting minutes will be documented and retained for accountability and future reference.

• A summary report of the funding decisions, including the rationale for approvals and denials, will be compiled for review by the LDP board.

8. Post-Approval Follow-Up

• The committee may schedule follow-up meetings to review progress on funded projects and assess the overall impact of the grant program on the businesses and the community.