The City of Reno has announced it is bringing back "ReStore Reno." The program offers grants for local businesses to improve local storefronts and stimulate the economy.
The city is now accepting applications.Â
Vice Mayor Kathleen Taylor says businesses will need a quick turnaround for improvements.
"You have 90 days to start your improvements," she said. "And you have 180 days to complete the improvement. So, we're going to start seeing some transformation immediately."
The city says they will reimburse businesses for 50% of eligible costs, up to a maximum award of $50,000 for exterior improvements, and an additional $50,000 for the interior.
To be eligible for ReStore, businesses must be located in either RDA 1 (shown in blue) or RDA 2 (yellow). Credit: City of Reno
To be eligible, businesses have to be in either Redevelopment Area (RDA) 1, which covers most of Midtown, or RDA 2 which generally follows Interstate 80 and South Virginia Street.
The city says it has a million dollars available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Taylor says the money doesn't come from the city's general fund. Instead, it's generated through property taxes in these RDAs.
"It has to be specifically to improve the districts in which the revenue was created," Taylor said.
You can see the results of the "ReStore Reno" program around the city, especially in downtown.
Well-known spots like the Cal-Neva and the National Automobile Museum are among previous grant recipients. The Best Bet Motor Lodge used its funding to add greenery and a patio to the front of the building.
Taylor says there's one spot off of South Sierra Street she likes to swing by from time to time.
"For me personally, I'm going to say Birdeez," she said. "I'm a big golfer. I'm a bad golfer. So, anywhere that I can do golfing inside and beat my kids and do like a putt-putt."
Birdeez is a new business that moved into an old space and revitalized it through the "ReStore" program.
If you want to learn more about the program, or if you own a local business and want to know if you're eligible, the City of Reno has more information on its website.
