Geneva Business Improvement District Services:

Downtown Revitalization Loan Program

Purpose:

DRLP provides loan assistance to business and property owners located in downtown Geneva.  Local banks offer reduced rate loans to property owners and commercial retail tenants located within the district (BID).  Loans are provided for interior improvements, facade front and rear, working capital, and equipment to promote increased profitability and employment.

Function and Goals:

To strengthen the commercial base in the BID by stabilizing existing businesses and attracting new ones.

To create new and retain existing jobs for primarily low and moderate income persons in small retail and commercial enterprises.

To stimulate new private investment within the BID revitalization area.

To enhance structural characteristics of existing buildings.

All loans are packaged in cooperation with the City of Geneva staff and are funded through the City of Geneva's Revolving Loan Fund.

Property Improvement Preferred Plan (PIPP)

Collaborative efforts between the Geneva BID, Community Bank, NA, First Niagara Bank, National Bank of Geneva, and The Lyons National Bank led to the development of a special rate loan program offering special incentive to Geneva BID property owners.  The program requires a $5,000 minimum request for a project with a maximum of $25,000 for individual property owners and up to $50,000 for owners planning projects on multiple downtown properties.  This program's goal is to stimulate continued renewal in downtown.

New York Main Street Program

The Geneva Business Improvement District Management Association, Inc. (GBID) is undertaking a comprehensive facade and building renovation program along two blocks of Castle Street and one block of Exchange Street, in the heart of the City's business district. A NYMS grant of $200,000 was received.

The program will provide 50 percent grant assistance to property owners desiring and willing to improve a deteriorated and/or blighting facade.  Building renovation assistance will be extended to property owners that need to upgrade seriously substandard building conditions in the Targeted Service Area.

The Target Area consists of buildings that are eligible for inclusion on the National and State Registers of Historic Places, and all work will be done consistent with historic design standards.

About Geneva Business Improvement District