Buchanan Town Council, during its regular meeting on December 13, voted to spend American Recovery Plan Act (ARPA) funds to improve water and wastewater utility services and launch a new real estate grant program for brick-and-mortar businesses in Buchanan.
The town will be purchasing a new trailer-mounted sewer jetter to replace the current one, a very outdated machine that is time-consuming to operate; a new sewer camera to aid in identifying problems in the lines while making repair efforts more efficient; and will replace the lights at the wastewater treatment plant.
“The approximately $900,000 in funds that the Town of Buchanan received from the America Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) came at a much-needed time. Like most small towns, Buchanan has to continuously work through the needs of maintaining and updating infrastructure, economic and community development and retaining employees to carry out the goals of Town Council,” said Mayor Craig Bryant.
“During several scheduled work sessions, Town Council took the opportunity to review priorities and needs and have unanimously agreed using some of the ARPA funds for needs such as water and sewer infrastructure, matching grants for local businesses for building improvements, and purchasing updated equipment so town employees have the appropriate tools to safely and thoroughly do their jobs,” the mayor said. “I look forward to our continued planning on the use of the ARPA funds within our town.”
“The APRA funds could not have come at a better time” echoed Councilman James Manspile. “Town Council has talked several times in the past few years of how we would budget for replacing aging equipment and moving forward on new technology available to us. These funds will benefit the citizens in town in more ways than you would think.”
“Our town citizens are our number one priority, and access to reliable water and sewer systems is paramount. We are very fortunate that ARPA funding can be used to ensure that our systems are replaced and are in good working order,” said Councilman Chris Petty.
A goal in the Town of Buchanan’s Comprehensive Plan has been to develop a program that allows business owners to apply for funds to enhance real estate to increase curb appeal and tax value. Town Council voted to establish a matching grant program with ARPA funds effective January 1, 2022.
Property owners in the Trade, Commercial, or Manufacturing Districts are eligible to apply for a reimbursable matching grant up to $5,000 for projects that will improve their buildings. This can include façade renovations,
New Real Estate Investment Grants Program:
- Qualified real estate made by any individual or entity to a commercial building in the Town of Buchanan to reduce or prevent blight
- The amount of the grant is 50 percent of the cost of prequalified real property investment
- A maximum of $5,000 may applied for the grant to be matched dollar per dollar by the applicant in the proposed project
- The town has allocated up to $40,000 for this program. Funds will be available on a first-come, first-served basis until exhausted.
The Real Estate Investment Grants are reimbursement grants, available up to 50% of the total project cost, up to a maximum of $5,000. The grants must be matched dollar for dollar on the applicable project.
An applicant may apply for reimbursement for more than one grant; however, only one grant is eligible in a single fiscal year. This grant program began January 1, and is not retroactive. (In the event that multiple buildings are owned by the same person, a maximum of two grants will be considered per business owner.)
- Qualified Applicant: Any owner of Town of Buchanan commercially zoned property, or any tenant or prospective tenant in a commercial zone having the building owner’s written approval.
- Qualified Area: Commercially zoned properties within the Town of Buchanan are eligible, this includes trade and manufacturing.
- Qualified Improvements: External improvement to the property facade such as painting, including walls, windows, doors, awnings, lighting and signage as well as permanent landscaping. This includes installations, significant repairs that are part of a larger improvement project, replacements, and cleaning and repointing of masonry.
- Improvement Standards: All facade improvements on designated or potentially designated historic properties must conform to the Secretary of the Interior Standards and the Town of Buchanan’s Comprehensive Plan. All construction must be done in accordance with local code, including building permits where applicable.
- Application Process: Each applicant must submit one original (print or e-mail) of the completed application to the Town of Buchanan (as outlined on page 2 of the application). The order in which completed applications are received determines the order of funding approval.
- Once the applications are approved, after original receipts detailing work are provided and an inspection is completed, the town would reimburse the applicant up to 50% of the funds up to $5,000.
- Approved contractors shall be licensed and bonded contractors. If an applicant chooses to do the work himself, materials only will qualify for the program reimbursement.
Applications will typically be reviewed on a monthly basis at least one week prior to each meeting by the town manager and Review Committee for certification of appropriate design criteria and for approval of funding. The approval will typically require two meetings if/when changes to the original design are suggested. A previously submitted application must be resubmitted for review if changes are made after the Review Committee’s approval. Once approved by the Review Committee, the final proposals will be presented to tTown Council for final approval.
“Our businesses have persevered through the challenging few years, and we appreciate them,” said Buchanan Vice-Mayor Chris Witt. “This matching grant funding will help improve and grow businesses in our community. We are excited about the opportunity for these owners.”
“After the funds are used in the real estate grant program, I hope we can find funding to keep the program on at least a limited basis each year,” Manspile said.
Community Development Planner Harry Gleason added, “The new Real Estate Improvement Grants add to the toolbox businesses and property owners have at their disposal to make their dreams come true. The grant is intended to help entrepreneurs restore their properties, preserve the community’s historic resources, while making the process just a little more affordable. We know from the past efforts of our merchants that these new renovations will act as a catalyst for investments throughout the business neighborhoods as well as the surrounding historic residential neighborhoods.”
“The Town of Buchanan is gearing up for improvements and positive changes. We are excited to begin using the new equipment and launch the Real Estate Improvement program to help our community and visitors. This is exciting for Buchanan,” said Town Manager Susan McCulloch.
