CLEARWATER â The city of Clearwaterâs Community Redevelopment Agency has adopted three new business assistance grant programs for commercial property owners and tenants starting May 3.
The programs total more than $1.5 million over two years and are at three varying levels that address both short- and long-term challenges in the CRA s 488-acre boundary.
The three grant programs are focused on reducing blight and filling vacant ground-floor commercial spaces with uses that generate pedestrian activity within the entirety of the CRA district. Once approved, applicants will have between six months and one year to implement interior or exterior renovations.
âThe CRA has spent 18 months in conversation with business owners, property owners, city leadership and staff to build a suite of grants that are responsive to our community need and create viable incentives,â CRA Director Amanda Thompson said in a news release.