File photo.
FULTON, NY – The Fulton Block Builders (FBB) has announced details for the 2017 Block Challenge, a program that offers matching funds to each participating home owner up to $1,000 (dollar-for-dollar match) to put towards exterior home improvements.
The program encourages and rewards neighborhood groups to work together in an effort to reinvest in their own communities.
Block Challenge Grant, Pre-Applications must be submitted by April 1, 2017.
Look to see if your neighborhood is in one of the Target Areas. Streets in target areas are especially encouraged to apply. https://www.fultonblockbuilders.com/target-areas/
City residents who would like to participate in the program need to form a neighborhood cluster with a minimum of 50% of the property owners in their vicinity. The group can include homeowners or landlords.
Once a cluster has formed, the pre-application process begins. The matching grant funding will cover expenses for exterior property improvements to groups of homeowners on a single block – in targeted neighborhoods – throughout the city of Fulton.
Aside from matching grant funding, participating homeowners have access to discounts from sponsoring hardware stores and garden centers.
Visit the FBB webpage https://www.fultonblockbuilders.com/apply/ and look at the map of the targeted neighborhoods.
While all applications are considered, neighborhoods that fall inside Target Areas are given special consideration. Applicants must enlist a minimum of 50% of the neighbors on the same street/block to participate and fill out a simple Pre-Application Form.
FBB Representatives are available to help applicants through the process. Pre-applications for neighborhoods interested in participating in the 2017 program are available on the FBB website beginning March 1, 2017 here: https://www.fultonblockbuilders.com/apply/.
Once submitted, the pre-application is reviewed and applicants will receive a Final Application. This Final Application will require detailed plans and a joint meeting with the neighbors and an FBB representative.
Final Applications are reviewed by an independent review panel, and awarded blocks are announced by May 15th of 2017.
A minimum of 50% of homes must be on one application. Applications along with instructions can be downloaded from the FBB website; https://www.fultonblockbuilders.com/apply/.
Grant Applications are competitive. Not all applications can be funded, and the number of awards made is dependent upon funding levels and the number and quality of applications. Grants are available to owner occupied homes as well as rentals.
The closer the clusters are grouped and the larger the number of participants the more competitive the application becomes.
Clusters that can be geographically “linked” with other participating clusters in your area, become even more competitive and clusters that develop a strategic plan for their neighborhood’s continued revitalization in the future will be the most competitive.
IMPORTANT DATES REGARDING 2017 Fulton Block Builders:
Wednesday, March 1 – Pre-application will be available
Wednesday, March 1 – Target Areas are announced
Saturday April 1 – Pre-applications are due
Monday May 1 – Final applications are due
By Monday May 15th – FBB grant awardees announced
Pre-applications for the 2017 program can be found here: https://www.fultonblockbuilders.com/apply/
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