DANVILLE — Applications for financial assistance to improve downtown buildings in Danville opened on Friday.
The city will accept applications for the Downtown Tax Increment Financing District (TIF) until June 1. TIF districts lock in property tax values, and when a business owner invests in renovating old buildings, the additional tax revenue is set aside for more projects in the designated TIF district.
The grants are to be used for exterior improvements, roof improvements, parking and landscaping, structural improvements, as well as architectural design costs.
The city says that more than $1.1 million in grants have been invested in over 25 downtown businesses since 2021, with 50% of those project costs covered up to $50,000 per project.
During an April city council meeting, Logan Cronk spoke briefly about the applications opening up.
“Anybody that owns property in the downtown TIF area — most of them already know — but there is a GIS map on the city’s website. You can use it to check if you are in a TIF district,” Cronk said. “For all the information, I just send people to the TIF website.”
The website https://gis-hub-danvilleil.hub.arcgis.com says the Downtown TIF district “encompasses the central downtown area, roughly bordered by Seminary on the north, Main on the south, Franklin on the west, and Washington on the east. This area of Danville has been a commercial focus from the beginning of the city’s history and continues to hold this focus today.”
In a release from the city planner, Mumuchhu Gurung, the following documents are needed to apply: cost proposals, completed W-9 form for the Grantee, a letter from the owner of record granting the applicant permission to complete the proposed improvements (if the one applying is not the owner), a letter of commitment or other evidence of financing, a letter of intent with a statement on how the project will bring a positive impact to downtown Danville, before photos, a site plan of the property — plus any elevation drawings or exhibits.
The city encourages all downtown businesses in the TIF district to apply and take advantage of the opportunities to improve their businesses.
To apply online, go to: https://danvilleil.civicserve.com/applicant/179000/new-application/details/0
For more information, contact the Community Development Division at 217-431-2321 or go to the office located at 1155 E Voorhees Street, Suite A in Danville.