Underutilized Building Grant

The City of Haysville, through its economic development strategic planning process, has created an Underutilized Building Grant Program.  As funds allow, this program is designed to assist building owners and lessees with the cost of rehabilitating an underutilized building or suite(s) whose primary location is within designated Target areas.  Target areas are inside the City limits of Haysville and defined as: Broadway (US 81) Corridor; Main Street Corridor; Meridian Street Corridor; Grand Avenue Arterial; public and private Industrial Parks. Buildings or suites must be currently vacant and have been vacant for two or more consecutive years. This program provides matching grants to property owners, or lessees with signed agreement from property owner, who accomplish rehabilitation to existing buildings, including existing suites and landscaping, according to a predetermined scope of work.  Fencing and sprinkler systems will not be considered landscaping.   The scope of work must be presented with, and according to, the Underutilized Building Grant Application to be considered for eligibility. Eligible projects may receive an award of up to 25% of the total project costs, excluding sales tax, with no single grant exceeding $6,000.  Priority will be given to applicants who furnish aggressive marketing plans designed to attract new business to the completed project.  Following Application approval, and project completion to include proof of lien releases, funding will be reimbursed within 30 days of providing copies of paid receipts for the scope of work as presented in the Underutilized Building Grant Application. 

It is the applicant’s responsibility to meet all applicable City ordinances and regulations regarding any aspect of accomplishing building improvements. The Community Development staff will assist applicants through the grant and project processes. Call the Community Development office to discuss your project and obtain an application.  Projects or Applications may not be funded if the level of direct competition with a business in any Target Area is deemed by City Staff to be detrimental in any way.  Potentially eligible recipients of program assistance must apply for funding assistance, and receive formal approval by action of Haysville City Staff, in advance of starting any rehabilitation efforts in order to receive reimbursement under the terms of the program. Incentives are designed as “but-for” incentives: “but-for the incentive’s certainty of being awarded, as evidenced by formal approval being granted by City Staff, the business could not otherwise justify the total economic risks associated with the rehabilitation project”.

Types of rehabilitation projects could include but not limited to:

• ADA accessibility upgrades
• Code updating for fire protection or electrical needs
• Creating a ‘drive-thru’ opportunity

Underutilized Building Grant Application