Grants Program

GUIDELINES AND CRITERIA

Section 1. Sponsor

City of Wallis Development Corporation (Corporation)

Section 2. Purpose

To enhance the economic vitality of the City of Wallis by encouraging visually appealing physical improvements to local business establishments.

Section 3. Grant Type

Grants provided are Reimbursement Grants, such grants being a cash match for funds disbursed by an Applicant, and are in amounts not to exceed those provided under Section 6, “Type of Grants” below. In-kind contributions may not be used as a part or whole of an Applicant’s match. Only Applicant’s cash expenditures may be used as a grant match.

Section 4. Funding Cycle

B. SIGN IMPROVEMENT: New signs and renovation or removal of existing signs. Up to a 50% matching grant with a maximum of $500.

C. PROPERTY IMPROVEMENT: Items such as landscaping, lighting, sidewalk and driveway improvements, parking lot improvements. Up to a 50% matching grant with a maximum of $400.

B. An applicant operating in a leased facility must apply jointly with the property owner. Copies of a lease agreement and proof of ownership will be required.

C. Grant funding will be limited to either, one (1) Facade grant to any one applicant during a grant-funding cycle, or one (1) Facade grant to any one applicant during a grant-funding cycle, or one (1) Sign and one (1) Property grant to any one applicant during a grant-funding cycle.

D. Improvements shall be made in accordance with project drawings, specifications, and/or information provided in the application, such having been previously approved by the Corporation. Failure to do so will render the applicant ineligible to receive grant funding. Any modifications must first receive the written approval of the Corporation or its designee. Failure to do so will likewise render the applicant ineligible to receive grant funding.

E. Applicant is obligated to obtain all applicable permits related to the improvement project. Failure to do so will render the applicant ineligible for grant funding.

F. The improvements as presented in the application must be completed in their entirety. Incomplete improvements will render the applicant ineligible for grant funding.

G. Upon approval of a grant application, and during the implementation of the improvements, a representative or representatives of the Corporation shall have the right of access to inspect the work in progress

H. Improvements may not commence prior to having received written approval for a grant from the Corporation.

I. In order to be eligible to receive grant funding, improvements must be completed within six (6) months of receiving grant approval from the Corporation.

Section 8. Application & Approval

A. Applications must be made on a form provided by the Corporation, and may be obtained at the Wallis City Hall, 114 S 3rd Street, Wallis, Texas 77485-0190.

B. Applications will be considered on a monthly basis and must be submitted by the fifteenth (15th) day of the preceding month.

C. Monthly consideration of applications may be delayed in the event the Corporation fails to seat a quorum for a regular meeting, elects for any reason not to hold a regular monthly meeting, or elects for any reason not to consider grant applications at any particular meeting.

D. One (1) original and one (1) copy of an application must be submitted.

E. The Corporation reserves the right to utilize whatever outside resources it deems necessary for assistance in its decision-making process.

F. Applicants will be notified in writing of the Corporation’s approval or disapproval of an application.

G. The Corporation may award Applicant a grant with certain provisions, conditions, or other requirements as it may from time to time deem appropriate.

H. The Corporation reserves the right to exercise its absolute discretion in determining approval or disapproval of an application, whether or not such discretion may be deemed arbitrary, or without basis in fact.

Section 9. Standards

The following factors, among such others as the Corporation may deem necessary, shall be considered in determining whether on not to award a grant:

A. The amount of additional funding being provided by the applicant beyond the required cash match

B. The amount of current deterioration or blight the improvement will alleviate

C. The visual attractiveness and/or historic significance of the improvements as determined by the Corporation’s exercise of its absolute discretion in such determination

D. Traffic levels of roadways adjacent to the improvements

A. Funding will only be provided upon the completion of the project in accordance with Section 7 D above.

B. The Corporation shall be granted the right to inspect the improvement work in progress.

C. Applicant shall provide the Corporation with written notification of project completion. Such notification shall include a letter signed by the applicant stating that all improvements have been completed in accordance with the application and/or approved modifications, and that full payment has been made for all labor and materials involved in the project. Also included in such notification shall be such documents as, but not limited to, paid receipts for materials and labor, permits, inspection reports, project photographs, or any other items the Corporation may reasonably deem necessary for determining the successful completion of the project.

D. Upon receipt of a notification of completion, an on-site inspection shall be made by a representative or representatives of the Corporation to confirm completion in accordance with the application and/or approved modifications, such inspection to take place within thirty (30) days of the notification receipt. Such inspection shall not be construed in any way as a reflection of the Corporation’s passing of approval on the quality, safety, or reliability of the improvements, such being the sole responsibility of Applicant.

E. At the next regular Corporate meeting following the on-site inspection, a written statement by the inspector/inspectors shall be provided to the Corporation testifying either to (1) compliant project completion, or (2) non-compliant project completion. In the event of a “non-compliant report”, the Corporation will review the findings, and, if in agreement with the report, a letter shall be issued to the applicant stating the area/areas of non-compliance. The project shall be subject to re-inspection to confirm the successful completion of the project. Failure to correct the area/areas of non-compliance within sixty (60) days of the date of the “non-compliant letter” shall be cause for cancellation of the grant.

F. At the regular Corporate meeting at which a “compliant” inspection report is provided a motion to authorize funding will be a adopted. Issuance of payment shall take place within seven (7) days of the funding authorization.

Section 11. Amendment

The Corporation reserves unto itself the right to, by a majority vote of the Board of Directors, amend these Guidelines and Criteria as it may from time to time find desirable.

Section 12. Notice

A. THE PROVISION OR DELIVERY OF THESE GUIDELINES AND CRITERIA TO AN INTERESTED PARTY DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER OF AN IMPROVEMENT GRANT TO THAT PARTY.

B. THE ADOPTION OF THESE GUIDELINES AND CRITERIA DOES NOT LIMIT THE DISCRETION OF THE CORPORATION TO DECIDE WHETHER TO PROVIDE OR NOT PROVIDE A GRANT TO AN APPLICANT, WHICH ABSOLUTE RIGHT OF DISCRETION THE CORPORATION RESERVES UNTO ITSELF, WHETHER OR NOT SUCH DISCRETION MAY BE DEEMED ARBITRARY OR WITHOUT BASIS IN FACT.

C. THE ADOPTION OF THESE GUIDELINES AND CRITERIA DOES NOT CREATE ANY PROPERTY, CONTRACT, OR OTHER LEGAL RIGHTS IN ANY PERSON TO HAVE THE CORPORATION PROVIDE GRANT FUNDING.

D. THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF TEXAS SHALL GOVERN THE INTERPRETATION, VALIDITY, PERFORMANCE, AND ENFORCEMENT OF THIS BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT GRANT PROGRAM. IF ANY PROVISION OF THIS PROGRAM SHALL BE HELD TO BE INVALID OR UNENFORCEABLE, THE VALIDITY AND ENFORCEABILITY OF THE REMAINING PROVISIONS OF THIS PROGRAM SHALL NOT BE AFFECTED THEREBY.

E. THE CORPORATION, ITS EMPLOYEES, AND ITS AGENTS, DO NOT ATTEST TO THE QUALITY, SAFETY, OR CONSTRUCTION OF A PROJECT ELIGIBLE FOR, OR RECEIVING GRANT FUNDING. THEREFORE, THE CORPORATION, ITS EMPLOYEES, AND AGENTS SHALL BE HELD HARMLESS BY THE APPLICANT/APPLICANTS FOR ANY AND ALL DAMAGES ASSOCIATED WITH THE PLANNING, CONSTRUCTION, AND SUBSEQUENT EXISTENCE OF ANY PROJECT WHOSE APPLICATION HAS BEEN APPROVED, OR HAS RECEIVED ACTUAL GRANT FUNDING.

Q & A

If I am operating my business in a leased building, can I still apply?

Yes, the only stipulation is that you and the building's owner have to apply jointly.

If I am opening a new business in Wallis, am I eligible to apply?

Yes, both new and existing businesses are eligible to apply.

Can I apply for both the Facade and the Sign grant at the same time?

No, at this time grants are limited to only one of the two grant types in a grant-funding cycle. Recipients of either type grant may apply for another of the same type grants, or apply for a different type grant in the next grant-funding cycle.

When is a grant funding cycle?

Grant-funding cycles run from October 1st through September 30th of each year.

Does a building have to have a business operating in it in order to be eligible?

No, vacant buildings with a proven history of commercial use are eligible.

What about a business I operate out of my home?

Businesses that also serve as a residence are not eligible for grant funding.

If there is more than one business operating in a single building can multiple grants be made for that building?

No, only one grant per building is currently available.

Can grants be made for improvements in progress, or already completed?

No, the improvements cannot have begun prior to having received grant approval.

Does submission of an application mean I will receive a grant?

No, grants will be considered on a case-by-case basis, based on each project's merit, and the amount of grant funds available.

When do I receive the actual grant funds?

Successful grant applicants will be officially notified of their award by mail. Funding will be provided upon completion of the improvements.

How long after I file an application does it take to find out if I will receive a grant?

Generally, grants will be considered on a monthly basis. Grant applications should be submitted by the fifteenth (15th) day of the month preceding the month of consideration.

How long do I have to complete the improvements?

Improvements must be completed within six (6) months of notification of grant award.