You could receive a grant of between $3,000 and $10,000 for property improvements!

The NPU-V Small Commercial Property Improvement Grant (SCPIG) is a grant to business owner tenants or commercial property owners in the Mechanicsville, Pittsburgh, and Peoplestown neighborhoods. Qualified property owners and business owners can receive between $3,000 and $10,000 for eligible exterior and interior renovations. This program is in partnership with the Annie E. Casey Foundation.

Eligible Applicants

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Owners of occupied properties must apply with their business owner tenants. Tenants must have a minimum 12-month lease and will need approval from the property owner.

• For-profit and nonprofit small businesses operating in commercial properties with a total building size smaller than 15,000 square feet located in the City of Atlanta are eligible to apply.
• Applicants must show a current City of Atlanta business license.
• Owners of vacant commercial properties that meet the size requirements may be eligible to apply.  Please reach out to the Program Manager prior to submitting application, as vacant properties may be eligible if scope of work will bring them into leasable condition.
• Small businesses in multi-tenant commercial buildings with a total building size smaller than 15,000 square feet are eligible.

Ineligible Applicants

• ​Properties constructed in the last 10 years are not eligible.
• Residential properties (and home-based businesses) are not eligible for this grant.
• Properties with national credit tenants (i.e., national chain businesses) are not eligible.
• Properties owned and/or occupied by religious institutions and public agencies are not eligible.
• Properties not zoned for commercial use are not eligible
• Properties operating as package stores or for purposes of adult entertainment, including gambling, are not eligible.

Eligible Uses

Improvements should visually enhance the interior and/or exterior of the subject property and meet the following guidelines:

• Eligible exterior improvements include:

  • Painting
  • Lighting
  • Windows, doors, framing, etc.
  • Signage, canopies, awnings, etc.
  • Gates, fencing, landscaping, etc.
  • Building surface repairs: concrete, siding, limestone, etc.
  • Surface upgrades on the ground: tiling, asphalt resurfacing, etc.
• Eligible interior improvements include:
  • Flooring, walls and ceiling upgrades
  • HVAC, water heater, plumbing, electrical, and other systems repairs
  • Structural repairs to walls, floors, stairs, and interior doors
• Certain soft costs, such as architectural and planning services are eligible but shall not exceed 10% of grant amount.
• Operations, inventory, and other soft costs are not eligible expenses.

Renovation Categories

• A minimum of 50% of NPU-V Grant funds must be used for exterior improvements to the property.
• All exterior improvements must be visible from the public right-of-way.
• Interior improvements should significantly enhance the customer and employee experience.
• Additional eligible uses are located within the grant guidelines & application.

Application Submission

Complete the application via fillable pdf. Applications must include all required supporting documentation (see Guidelines). All inquiries regarding the NPU-V Program guidelines or application must be received in writing via email to: Paige Mitchell at [email protected]. Handwritten applications will not be accepted. 

Submit application by July 31^st, 2023.

Grant Funding

Approved grants are subject to the terms and conditions of an executed grant agreement.  Grant proceeds cannot be used for improvements completed prior to application approval and execution of Grant Agreement.  Grant proceeds will be disbursed on a reimbursement basis or will be used to pay project vendors directly upon submission of invoices from grantee and verification by Invest Atlanta. Requisitions for grant funds cannot be submitted more frequently than every 30 days and are subject to the terms and conditions identified in the grant agreement