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Facade Enhancement Program
This incentive program is a result of efforts of the Cheyenne County Chamber of Commerce, Historic Downtown Sidney Main Street and Sidney Historic Preservation Board working in partnership with the City of Sidney.
* Funding has been appropriated from the City’s LB840 Economic Development program for incentives for downtown historic business owners and other main street programs.
* Buildings eligible for this incentive must be in the Historic Downtown District or other designated areas as defined by the Sidney City Council.
* The incentive program will allocate up to $5,000 in matching funds per building structure for exterior only work done on historic buildings that would enhance and restore the historic appearance of the building making the district more attractive to tenants and customers.
* An application must be sought from the Chamber of Commerce (740 Illinois) or City of Sidney (1115 13th Avenue). The proposed project will then be reviewed by the Sidney Historic Preservation Board. If the board feels it meets the requirements of the program, the funding request will be reserved on a first come, first serve basis. Applicant has three months to start work or the application becomes null and void, unless waived by the SHPB.
* Any reimbursement (up to 50 percent with a maximum reimbursement of $5,000), would come “after the fact” based on invoices. Projects may be less than the maximum.
* Reimbursement is 50 percent if contractors are from Cheyenne County and materials purchased are from Cheyenne County businesses. If an out of county business supplying materials or work is a Cheyenne county Chamber of Commerce member it also qualifies at the 50 percent rate. All non-qualifying contractors and or purchased materials can be reimbursed at a 35 percent rate.
Retail Incentive Program
The purpose is to encourage retail development in the downtown area, thus making the community more attractive to major employers in the area in the recruitment of our expanding workforce. It will also give the community a more vibrant look by having current vacant buildings occupied.
Funding would be allocated from that portion of the LB840 Sidney Economic Development Fund approved by Sidney voters for the period of time from 2007-2017, going into effect on Oct. 1, 2007. This funding amounts to $50,000 annually for 10 years. This plan has been recommended by the Sidney Main Street Economic Vitality Committee.
Incentive Guidelines:
* Any vacant commercial building located in the designated downtown incentive district is eligible (roughly eight block area from 7th to 13th Avenue, Hickory to King).
Applicant would need to fill out an application form, spelling out purpose of business and the proposed location. Application form is available at the Chamber of Commerce or City of Sidney.
* Applicant must submit a business plan.
* Rental assistance not to exceed $500 monthly for six months would be provided out of the Economic Development Fund. Property owner would also promise not to exceed monthly rent of $500 for the first six months, but would have an understanding with the proprietor how much the rent would then be following the initial six months. Any exceptions to this standard would have to be approved by the Main Street Economic Vitality Committee.
* Proprietor would sign a 2-year promissory note that the incentive funding would be repaid to the City of Sidney Economic Development Fund should they not meet the performance based standard of staying in business a minimum of two years, and keeping current on rental and utilities during that two year duration. At the end of the two years of keeping the business open and operating, the initial $3,000 rental assistance would be forgiven.
* The new business must be “retail” in nature in that it provides products for sale that are subject to sales tax. Determinations will be made by the Main Street Economic Vitality Committee.
