Last Updated on January 12, 2024, 5:45 PM | Published: January 12, 2024
The Alliance for Economic Development of Oklahoma City sends this information as posted below:
OKLAHOMA CITY- Applications opened this week to help Oklahoma City small businesses make exterior improvements to their buildings. The business must be located in one of three Oklahoma City neighborhoods: Martin Luther King, Capitol Hill and Metro Park.
The three areas were identified for support because they’re part of the City of Oklahoma City’s neighborhood revitalization program known as the Strong Neighborhoods Initiative.
The new SNI Storefront Improvement Program, administered by The Alliance for Economic Development of Oklahoma City, will reimburse businesses up to $25,000 in expenses for outdoor building repairs such as windows, paint, signage or other improvements. Projects must be completed within 6 months of project approval.
Lakiesha Braggs, owner of L145, a women’s boutique on 36th Street, received funding through a previous program to install a new, illuminated sign for her Oklahoma City retail business. “This was a tremendous help to have the new sign paid for with ARPA funds,” Braggs said. “It really attracts attention and increased my walk-in business. As a small business owner, attracting new customers every week has made a noticeable impact on our revenue.”
Small businesses and especially minority-owned small businesses, were impacted most by COVID. The Alliance has created multiple programs since the spring of 2020 to maintain jobs and support small business recovery and increase their resiliency. The SNI Storefront Improvement Program is modeled on past successful programs for small businesses in Oklahoma City.
To qualify, the business must have a physical location in one of these three Oklahoma City neighborhoods: Martin Luther King, Capitol Hill or Metro Park. Businesses that have received past awards for exterior improvements from the OKC Rescue Program aren’t eligible. Businesses that were established after March 3, 2021 are also not eligible.
“This collaboration between the City’s Strong Neighborhoods Initiative and The Alliance will not only make businesses more attractive, get noticed and thrive, but will be a catalyst for economic activity along these commercial and neighborhood corridors,” said Shannon Entz, program planner for Neighborhood and Commercial District Revitalization with the City of Oklahoma City.
The SNI has seen success revitalizing neighborhoods through activities such as home repairs, new home construction, public art, park improvements, after-school programs, sidewalks and beautification projects.
“Now, we have The Alliance and ARPA funds to focus on business exteriors in these same communities,“ added Entz. “This type of collaboration between businesses and residents helps stabilize neighborhoods and businesses that desperately need one another’s support and perhaps passers-by will notice too. We are excited and grateful for this collaboration.”
The SNI Storefront Improvement Program is administered by the Alliance for Economic Development for Oklahoma City and is funded by The City of Oklahoma City’s allocation from the federal American Rescue Plan Act. For details or the application, visit www.theallianceokc.org
Free Press curates press releases from organizations and people we know to be reputable. If you would like to submit a well-written press release for us to publish on our site, please click the email icon at the top of this page.
