Community Revitalization Grant

Program Overview

The Community Revitalization Grant program is an opportunity for Hamilton County cities, villages, and townships to gain new resources and help implement economic development projects. The program will be flexible and work with applicants to bring stalled or out of reach projects to completion. Applications are due April 12, 2024 by 5:00 p.m.

  • An emphasis will be placed on large and impactful projects, but funding may be awarded to a wide variety of community-prioritized projects.
  • Preference will be given to projects with a direct link to job creation and/or job retention, however funding can also be awarded for projects indirectly linked to job creation and/or job retention and overall community revitalization efforts.
  • Applicants should focus on projects involving real and immediate benefits. Funds will not be awarded for studies or similar efforts unless it is included in the scope of a construction or job creation project.
  • Projects located throughout Hamilton County are eligible, but the intention of the Community Revitalization Grant is to award funds to projects and communities with a proven financial need and a lack of alternative resources.
  • While this grant prioritizes project and community financial need, consideration will also be given to projects involving partnerships and financial commitment from the applicant and/or their partners.
  • All awarded projects must be completed with funds spent within two years of award. Hamilton County may grant an extension at its sole discretion.

 Launch on Monday, March 11th

 Close on Friday, April 12th at 5:00 pm

 Community Revitalization Grant program application

Eligible Applicants

  • Cities, villages, and townships within Hamilton County
  • Applications must be submitted and lead by cities, villages, or townships within Hamilton County.
  • Applicants must be in good standing with all past and current Hamilton County grants.
  • Applications that involve partnerships with businesses, non-profits, and other entities (in good standing) are encouraged.

Eligible Project Categories

The Community Revitalization Grant program is flexible and able to fund a diversity of projects. However, projects that have scored well in the past normally fall into one of the three categories below:

  1. Property Development (acquisition, site preparation, demolition, renovation, or new construction)
  2. Public Infrastructure Improvements (new construction of roads, sidewalks, and parking lots; utility improvements and extensions; street lighting, streetscaping, roadway, or intersection improvements)
  3. Façade and Building Improvements (new signage, new or improved storefronts, tenant improvement build-out)

Application Process and Tentative Timeline

A link to download the application is included below. Entities that are considering applying and have questions should contact Kelly Adamson at [email protected] or (513) 946-4437. See details on the tentative 2024 schedule below, please note this timeframe is subject to change:

Release of 2024 application March 11, 2024
Applications Due / Grant Closes April 12th, 2024 at 5:00 PM
Application presentations (if needed) April 2024
Funding recommendations presented at BOCC Staff Meeting May 2024
Award letters sent to selected applicants June 2024

 

Applications will be scored and ranked by an internal review committee comprised of Hamilton County staff. Staff will review applications and may invite applicants to provide presentations to the review committee if additional clarification is needed. Funding recommendations will be presented to and approved by the Board of County Commissioners. Applicants will be notified whether an award will be made via email or letter from Hamilton County. Funding agreements will then be drafted and approved by the Board of County Commissioners before the project can commence.

Scoring Criteria

Applications will be scored and ranked based primarily on the following factors. Additional factors may be considered.

  1. Project Impact
    1. Total number of jobs and amount of payroll created resulting from the project
    2. Total property investment resulting from the project
    3. Amount of blight or nuisance removed resulting from the project
  2. Project Need
    1. Projects located in an economically distressed community
    2. Projects that support low- and moderate-income populations
    3. Projects that have constrained budgets due to extreme factors (i.e., encumbered site, high acquisition costs)
  3. Project Support
    1. Number of public and private entities actively partnering on the project
    2. Amount of public and private funding committed to the project
    3. Number of public and private entities submitting letter of support for the project
    4. Implementation of specific recommendations included in an adopted local or County plan
  4. Applicant Capacity
    1. Complete, detailed, and clear application submitted
    2. Applicant demonstrates financial and organizational capacity to complete the project or has established partners that provide necessary capacity
    3. Applicant has strong past performance in completed projects that were funded or supported by Hamilton County
    4. Project site is controlled and/or properly zoned

Additional Considerations

  • All projects must be located within Hamilton County.
  • Projects reporting job, payroll, and property investment commitments should have detailed documentation.
  • Projects including acquisition, renovation, or construction related to parks should indicate how the project will also support local businesses, business districts, and/or redevelopment of the community overall in order to be a competitive application.
  • Applicants should provide documentation for all external funding commitments mentioned within the application.
  • Funds will be distributed on a reimbursement basis.
  • Awardees will need to submit various reporting materials to Hamilton County including a final report providing details on project implementation.
  • Hamilton County reserves the right to withhold all or a portion of the grant funding annually if there are not enough high-quality applications.