The Business and Tourism Development Corporation (BTDC) will once again be offering matching fund grants to nonprofit organizations and business improvement districts to beautify their downtowns, according to Town of North Hempstead BTDC Chairwoman Judi Bosworth and Executive Director Kim Kaiman.
The Downtown Beautification Program is designed to assist the town’s chambers of commerce and civic associations in the revitalization of commercial and mixed-use downtown districts. The program will make matching fund grants of up to $10,000 available, per councilmatic district, for eligible downtown beautification projects. Funds may be utilized for streetscape improvements such as tree planters and other landscaping, as well as street furniture, trash receptacles and signage.
“We encourage nonprofit organizations and business improvement districts to take advantage of this program,” said Bosworth. “It is designed to utilize your ideas to benefit our local communities. Last year we were able to award over $34,000 in grants to downtown projects.”
In 2015, a $7,043.20 grant was awarded to the Great Neck Plaza Business Improvement District (BID) for streetscape improvement, a $30,000 project; $10,000 to the Manhasset Chamber of Commerce for Plandome Road beautification, a $25,845 project; and $4,465 to Residents for a More Beautiful Port Washington for anchoring Main Street with beauty and history, a $8,930 project. Grants were also awarded to the business improvement districts and chambers of commerce of Westbury and Greater New Hyde Park.
“We are thrilled to have the support from Supervisor Bosworth and the town board to once again make available matching funds in order to facilitate the beautification of our local downtowns,” said Executive Director Kaiman. “Last year, we awarded over $34,000 from the BTDC. As a result, North Hempstead will see over $90,000 worth of improvements through several beautification projects around our town.”
Eligible applicants are nonprofit organizations, including but not limited to civic associations, chambers of commerce and local development corporations, as well as business improvement districts. Applicants must develop a detailed plan that must be submitted with the application, which is due on Dec. 9. To apply, call 516-869-7739 or 516-869-7614, or visit www.northhempsteadny.gov/btdcmatchinggrants.
—Submitted by the Town of North Hempstead
