MAIN STREET ADVISORY BOARD GETS SPECIFICS FOR B.I.G. DOWNTOWN INCENTIVES PROGRAM

Main Street Advisory Board

Cori Pena, the Administrator of Grants and Contracts for the Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation, the 4B entity entrusted with dispersing about $5 million annually for "quality of life" projects, was on the agenda as a presenter for the Main Street Advisory Board meeting Wednesday. 

I've been curious about the  BCIC's so-called 50/50 improvement program for downtown property owners and business tenants since it was first mentioned.

The program, set to start in April with applications for assistance accepted in March, provides up to $600,000 in incentives, $200,000 annually for three years for property owners and tenants to upgrade facades, bring electrical and plumbing up to code, remove false ceilings and make masonry repairs.

Matching funds up to $15,000 may be offered.  

Rent subsidies of 50% for the first 6 months up to $800 per month, plus 30% subsidies for the second 6 months are also part of this initiative, with the requirements of a two year lease and a business open at least 6 days per week.

Grants for the Business Improvement Grant Program, using the acronym B.I.G., will be issued through a grant committee composed of 2 members of the Main Street Advisory Board, 2 members of the Historic Preservation and Design Review Board, 2 BCIC Board members and 4 City of Brownsville staffers.  

At Wednesday's meeting, Angelina Macias was selected to represent the Main Street Advisory Board on the committee.

Qualifying businesses must be located is a specific downtown area, roughly between E. Jefferson Street and E. Fronton Street, International Blvd. and E. 5th.