(Seguin) — Local businesses looking to upgrade their look or operations this new year, might be able to get a big assist from the city of Seguin. The city is once again accepting applications for its Business Improvement Grant, or BIG program. The BIG program is a reimbursement-based grant program aimed at the development and expansion of business enterprises within the city.
Seguin Economic Development Director Josh Schneuker says the popular program is all about showing support for small businesses in this community.
“The city council has approved funding in the amount of $150,000 for our Business Improvement Grant. This is now, I believe, the third year that we’ve had funding dedicated to the grant. What we’re trying to do here is really provide some of our local businesses or our small businesses here with some grant funding to help offset some of those costs that go towards, facade improvements, site improvements, signage improvements and other real property improvements. In order to encourage businesses to consider making those types of capital improvement projects at their place of business, the city has established this and we want to work hand-in-hand with our small businesses to help promote that and really help revitalize the city through this partnership on improvement projects for our small businesses,” said Schneuker.
Schneuker says businesses that receive the grant will be eligible to receive a 75 percent matching grant, that covers improvements up to $10,000. He says that money can go a long way towards helping businesses make any necessary improvements. It is a reimbursement grant, but the grant helps to make these improvements more affordable for local businesses.
“You know, it is the responsibility for the business to pay for all the improvements upfront, and upon completion of the project, the business will submit project completion documents. That way we can verify that the projects have been completed. We’ll also go out and take the time to take a look at the improvements ourselves, and once we validate that everything has been done according to their application and their agreement that we signed with the business, we then will distribute the grant funding that we’ve we promised to provide the business. So, we provide up to 75 percent matching grant to the business in an amount not to exceed $10,000. This is a program that obviously can really help some offset some of those costs to our businesses and again really help make some of those improvement projects, that our businesses might have been thinking about — you know, realistic and doable through the availability of these funds,” said Schneuker.
Applications are now available online via the economic development office’s website, SeguinEDC.com. Schneuker says everything that the business needs to participate in the program is available online.
“There is a tab at the top of our website, and there you’ll find the Business Improvement Grant page on our website. On that page, you’ll find everything you need to know about the grant program, (including) an overview of the grant, the application, (and) the guidelines. This year, we’ve actually created an online application portal where businesses can submit their applications directly through the portal. They’ll have the ability to upload all supporting documents to the portal. Once the application is submitted, we will get notified of that submission through the portal and we’ll begin the review process. We will get back to the business within 20 to 30 business days following the submission of that application,” said Schneuker.
Seguin City Manager Steve Parker says the program was first launced in August of 2021. He says since that time, they have found it be a very successful program for small businesses in Seguin.
“We are very excited to be able to offer this grant to the community again for another year. The BIG program enables our small businesses to partner with the city on projects that will help improve the physical condition of existing commercial facilities and improve business operations and efficiency through the addition of new equipment and machinery. These investments are a win for the city and a win for our local businesses,” said Parker.
Applications are due by the close of business on the last day of each month. Applications submitted after the last day of the month will be reviewed the following month, subject to funding availability. Again, program guidelines and applications for the Seguin BIG program can be found online at SeguinEDC.com. Applications must be submitted through the BIG application portal, which can be accessed via the website, or at https://bit.ly/seguin-big24.
For additional information on the Seguin BIG program, you can also call the economic development department at 830-401-2476.