HomeMy WebLinkAboutCRA-R-25-0020 Submittal-OMNI CRA-BackupSubmitted into the public
record in connection with
Item 6 on 4/10/2025
Todd B. Hannon
Clerk of the Board
Omni
G R A
Business Assistance Microgrant
Program Guidelines - Procedures — Application
Program Description:
The Omni CRA Business Assistance Microgrant Program ("Microgrant Program") assists
qualified business or property owners with costs that are directly related to opening of a new
business, improving an existing business condition, remedying code violations, providing ADA
access, assisting existing businesses struggling due to business interference, blight, or disasters
and eliminating blighted conditions in targeted areas of the Omni CRA. Business Assistance
microgrant funds may be used for improvements to properties that are not eligible for grant
funding from other sources available in the area, or to supplement grant funds awarded by
other sources. Priorities include projects that can use CRA funds to leverage other public and
private investments and bring new business and restaurant/entertainment venues to distressed
areas.
Funds may not be spent outside of Omni CRA District Boundaries and are targeted at specific
areas in the Omni CRA District. The Microgrant Program has a project cap of $35,000. This
amount may be exceeded in rare circumstances at the discretion of the Executive Director. In
addition to a private match, the grant recipient is responsible for all business costs that exceed
funding provided by the CRA. The CRA may recommend funding at a lesser amount, given that
funds are awarded as available and based on priorities outlined below. Funds from this program
are paid directly to the business owner or to the contractors performing the work after a
competitive selection process.
Program Areas and Priorities:
While parts of the Omni CRA's redevelopment area have benefited from the boom in
commercial and residential development, some areas within the CRA district have not seen the
benefit of this investment. The business corridors of the Omni CRA suffer from neglected
properties and vacant properties and a general aesthetic that is not conducive for businesses to
thrive in the community. The Omni CRA has prioritized improvements to properties within the
Omni CRA Mirroarant Program
17457 Submittal-OMNI CRA-Backup
Submitted into the public
record in connection with
Item 6 on 4/10/2025
Todd B. Hannon
Clerk of the Board
limits of the boundaries of the entire Omni CRA district (see map), but may choose to focus on
particular problem areas.
Emergency Recovery & Business Interruption Microgrant
Due to large number of infrastructure and other construction projects, power outages,
burglaries, flooding, and other disaster -related interruptions in the changing
neighborhoods of the Community Redevelopment Area, businesses and residents may
face difficulty in remaining open, which can cause a negative cycle of blight and
disinvestment. The CRA is committed to preventing the conditions causing Slum & Blight
and is offering a microgrant to businesses or residents facing these problems.
Grant award can be used to conduct quick repairs to damaged property, replace
damaged or stolen equipment or infrastructure, increase signage, or defray other costs
after or during a business interruption or emergency, increase security and visibility to
enhance the safety of patrons and residents in the area. Grantees are selected on a
rolling basis at the discretion of the executive staff as funding permits.
Employment Opportunity Microgrant
Portions of the Omni CRA redevelopment area have a high underemployment rate. The
CRA is intent on increasing employment opportunities in the district and raising the
median income levels for residents and workers here. This microgrant is available to
hire, train, and retain workers at businesses within the Omni CRA which serves the local
community and increase quality of life and local activity. Grantees are selected on a
rolling basis at the discretion of the executive staff as funding permits.
Business owners using these funds are expected to commit to provide evidence of
capacity to remain in business and compensate employees after the grant ends. Best
efforts must be made to hire from the neighborhood, city, and then county.
Building Improvement Microgrant
Due to the increased vacancies and the changing character of the neighborhoods in the
CRA, it is often necessary to upgrade the infrastructure of a building to improve
customer experience, change the use, add new AC, ventilation or sewer infrastructure,
shift from temporary to permanent operation, or to make signage or aesthetic
improvements to the property. Building Improvement Microgrants are available on a
rolling basis, as funding permits for businesses to make small improvements to the
building, facade, landscaping, signage, or other improvements to the property.
Omni CRA Microgrant Program
Submitted into the public
record in connection with
Item 6 on 4/10/2025
Todd B. Hannon
Clerk of the Board
Eligibility:
These funds are usually not made for routine maintenance and should be part of a larger scope
of improvements to the property or area. All Microgrants will be subject to insurance
requirements as deemed necessary by the CRA. Any improved property should have an active
or soon -to -be active business and/or residential use located on the property.
• Emergency Recovery & Business Interruption Microgrant
These funds will be issued in response to a documented business interruption,
emergency need or other unforeseen hardship resulting from natural disasters or
blighted or disruptive neighborhood conditions.
• Employment Opportunity Microgram
These funds will be issued so that local businesses wishing to ramp up hours, increase
their visibility, or otherwise improve the quality or hours of service, or increase the
number of employed staff members.
Documentation of new employment will be required [see attached form].
• Building Improvement Microgrant
These funds will be issued for businesses wishing to change the use of their building, to
improve the aesthetics, visibility or accessibility of their business, or to add
infrastructure and fixtures to allow them to better serve the neighborhood.
Documentation of Improvements will be required [see attached form].
Completion:
All projects and grant disbursements shall be completed within a 6-month period from the date
the contract is signed. Extensions beyond the 6-month completion date can only be made with
the approval of the CRA Executive Director. Such approval shall be in writing and noticed to all
parties. All Microgrant recipients will be required to prominently display signage acknowledging
the CRA assistance.
Omni CRA Microgrant Program
Submitted into the public
record in connection with
Item 6 on 4/10/2025
Todd B. Hannon
Clerk of the Board
Building Improvement Microgrant Project Procedures:
CRA= CRA Staff; CNTR = Contractor; PROP = Property Owner; TNT = Tenant
A) Application Process
CRA meets with Tenant and/or Property Owner, verifies that the property is an eligible address
and that the tenant/business meets basic criteria for the CRA Business Assistance Microgrant.
1. Review Tenant Business Model — CRA
2. Review Improvement Activities funded by the program — CRA, TNT
3. Eligible Scope of Work and Budget is Prepared — CRA, TNT, PROP
4. Tenant and Property Owner prepare Application, attach Scope and Budget — TNT, PROP
5. BEFORE pictures are taken and delivered to CRA— CRA
6. Letter of Grant Award or denial is sent to Property Owner and/or tenant — CRA
B) Contract Process
Contract includes scope of work exhibit. Additional documents such as sub -contractor lists (for
release of lien) and Work Authorization Form are used for project monitoring.
1. Tenant or Property Owner secures pricing (3 bids) and selects contractor (lowest bid
wins) — TNT, PROP & CRA
2. Tenant submits contractor list and copies of estimates to CRA — TNT
3. DMP Prepares Contract with Scope of Work as exhibit — CRA
4. Contract is executed — CRA, TNT, CNTR
5. Work Authorization Form is executed — CRA, TNT, PROP
6. CRA gives 40% to the Contractor to begin the work
7. Permits are pulled and work begins —TNT, CNTR
8. CRA monitors progress — CRA
C) Project Completion
Contractors are paid after all liens are released, the building permit is closed
and a final invoice is submitted.
1. AFTER Pictures are Taken —TNT
2. Release of Lien letter for each contractor is obtained — TNT, CNTR
3. Closed Permit Report submitted —TNT, CNTR
4. Final Invoice Submitted for payment — CNTR
5. CRA makes the final payment to the Contractor Payment (2-4 weeks) — CRA
Omni CRA Microgrant Program
Submitted into the public
record in connection with
Item 6 on 4/10/2025
Todd B. Hannon
Clerk of the Board
Employment Opportunity Microgrant Procedures
The Employment Opportunity Microgrant is intended to further the employment of residents of
the Omni CRA and improve the ability of employers to expand services and pay living wages to
their employees. The Omni CRA does not tolerate employment discrimination based on
membership of any protected class. Documentation of non-discrimination in hiring must be
provided to the CRA.
The CRA may require the documentation of the following:
• Help -Wanted Advertisements to be posted for the position open or previously filled
positions
• Current payroll records
• Projected payroll with new hires
• Workers Compensation insurance for all employees
Hiring should be targeted at residents of the Omni CRA neighborhoods, including Omni,
Overtown, Wynwood, and Edgewater; If best efforts to hire from those neighborhoods is
unsuccessful hiring may take place from the City, and then the County.
After an initial payment, all payments for the Employment Opportunity grant will be conducted
on a reimbursement basis every two weeks pending proof of payment by ACH or Check.
Proper payroll records must be kept during the course of the Microgrant.
The Omni CRA reserves the right to terminate the Grant agreement for convenience at any
time.
Omni CRA Microgrant Program
Submitted into the public
record in connection with
Item 6 on 4/10/2025
Todd B. Hannon
Clerk of the Board
Employment Microgrant
Projected Job Creation Form (Please note additional forms to be completed)
Employment Verification Compliance Form for Job Creation Goals
Job Title
# of
positions
Existing/
New
Position
Projected/
Actual
Hiring Date
Part Time/
Full Time
Hourly
Pay Rate
TOTAL
I certify that the information contained in this form is true and accurate.
Business Name:
Certified by:
Signature of Business Owner Title
Printed Name Date
Omni CRA Microgrant Program
Submitted into the public
record in connection with
Item 6 on 4/10/2025
Todd B. Hannon
Clerk of the Board
Omni CRA Business Assistance Microgrant Application
Applicant Contact Information
Project Business Name
Contact Name
Mailing Address
Telephone
Fax
Email
Corporation Information
Registered Corporation Name
Mailing Address
Corporation Officers & Titles
Date & State of Incorporation
Tax ID#
Project Location & Scope
Property Owner Name
Project Address
Folio#
Year Built
Total Retail (Sq. Ft.)
Leased Retail (Sq. Ft.)
Description of the business
Type of Microgrant Requested
(check one)
Employment
Emergency/
Building
Interruption
Improvement
Description of Grant Requested
Estimated Start Date
Estimated
Completion Date
Omni CRA Microgrant Program
Submitted into the public
record in connection with
Item 6 on 4/10/2025
Todd B. Hannon
Clerk of the Board
Description of Item / Contractor or Supplier
Estimated Cost
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TOTAL
Acknowledgements
As a current business owner in this community or a business seeking to improve business in this community, I
wish to participate in the OMNI CRA BUSINESS ASSISTANCE MICROGRANT. I acknowledge that I have received a
copy of the Microgrant Grant Program Procedures and will comply with all requirements should I be awarded a
grant.
Sign / Print Name of Business Owner
Date
(if building improvements will be included in scope of grant)
I acknowledge that Tenant, is seeking assistance using the OMNI CRA BUSINESS ASSISTANCE
MICROGRANT PROGRAM and that the general terms of their lease conform to the terms above. Should the applicant win a
grant award, I understand that funds will be used to make improvements to my property.
Sign / Print Name of Property Owner Date
/
Omni CRA Microgrant Program