Neighborhood
Housing Services of South Buffalo does not only provide services to homeowners,
rental apartments and counseling clients; we also have a great Commercial Façade
Loan Program! Read on for more information about this great opportunity for our
business community in South Buffalo!
The loans are available for any
retail, professional, sales or service enterprise with annual sales under $1
million and/or less than 50 employees. Home-based businesses are eligible to
apply. The business must be located or
planning to locate in the South Buffalo service area {map}.
The purpose
of the loan program is to promote business areas in South Buffalo by providing
low-interest loans to existing small businesses and attract new business
development in South Buffalo. The loans are intended to be used to repair and improve
building exteriors. Eligible potential projects include landscaping, lighting,
paving, siding removal/replacement, installation/repair of existing signage, painting
signage, doors, windows, window displays and awnings and any structural repairs
necessitated by one or more of the other activities. All improvements must be
handicap accessible.
All projects must
meet zoning and permit requirements. Exterior building code
corrections to the commercial property are eligible items. Businesses must
possess all applicable business licenses. Taxes on the real property must be
paid in full. All other taxes (i.e. payroll, etc.) must be paid to date.
Architectural plans
may be required. If so, that cost will be paid by the applicant and is not an
eligible cost under the loan program. Matching funding provided by the
applicant to the repair costs cannot include the architectural fees. All
signage must meet local sign laws and regulations in design nature,
complementary to the existing signage and neighborhood appearance. A
preliminary design plan, including two written contractor’s estimates that
satisfy local zoning and permit requirements must be submitted at the time of
application.
This is a 50-50 match program: NHS of South Buffalo will provide
financing to match small business funds. For example, if your business has
$2,000 in funding, NHS of South Buffalo can provide an additional $2,000,
leaving you with $4,000 for the project. The interest rate is 3% for $10,000 or
less with a maximum term of five years. Closing costs that can be included in
the loan might be credit reports, filing fees, etc.. Businesses may apply for
loans as needed as there is no maximum to how many times you may receive loans,
but funding is limited to call today!
To apply, call our
loan officer, Pamela Tait-Kwiatkowski at (716) 823-3630 ext. 109.
