Main Street Atmore Member Program Incentives
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Façade Incentive Program
Established in late in 2021. We have allocated funds for exterior improvements to a front, side, or rear façade, provided the façade faces a public street or parking area. The program is designed to give property and business owners financial assistance and façade improvement. This grant offers a 50% reimbursement of façade projects up to $7,000.
Main Street Atmore has issued $106,742 in facade grants to 43 buildings.
$336,596 total has been invested into downtown for facade improvements.
The Façade Enhancement Grant Program is funded and administered by Main Street Atmore. Funds are available for exterior improvements only and may be applied to a front, side, or rear façade, provided the façade faces a public street or public parking area. The program is designed to give property and business owners financial assistance for façade improvement.
Click Below for the Application
SHOPMORE Initiative
Established in 2021, First Thursday Late Shopping is a Main Street staple retail event. It is an invited-hours promotion where regular customers of downtown businesses can shop from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Before First Thursday, shops typically only extended their hours during the Christmas season. The retail events are not just about shopping, they are about experiencing various activities. Each event is themed and may include scavenger hunts, prizes, and great discounts, promising an exciting and intriguing experience.
The true essence of a 1st Thursday lies in the strong community spirit it fosters. Shop owners actively encourage their customers to visit other downtown shops open during the after-hours event, creating a sense of connection and camaraderie. Our success is measured by the number of retail shops participating and the significant increase in foot traffic. An impressive 90% of our retail locations participate each 1st Thursday, strengthening our community bond.
Start M.O.R.E. Initiative
Established in 2023, our Start Making Opportunities a Reality Entrepreneurs campaign is a free entrepreneurial program. Our Start M.O.R.E. program, inspired by the successful model of Main Street Monroeville's Business Understand and Opportunities for Youth (B.O.U.Y.), is a beacon of hope and inspiration to aspiring business owners. This inclusive program is tailored for entrepreneurs, from high school sophomores to individuals of any age, ensuring everyone can benefit regardless of age or experience. Main Street Atmore launched its Entrepreneur Program in August 2023 to replicate this success. Start M.O.R.E. is a program designed to help entrepreneurs with strategic business plans, assumptions, marketing, taxes, certification (tailored to participants), mentoring, staff recruitment and training, succession planning, self-investment, and how to pitch a startup business successfully.
Atmore Main Street Economic Vitality Committee and Mrs. Yolanda Johnson, with the Small Business Development Center of Alabama (S.B.D.C.), the goal is to build a robust ecosystem for entrepreneurs by providing business education and resources that can help take their business concept from an idea to a viable business. By supporting this program, community members can contribute to the growth and prosperity of our local economy. We offer a 9-month program with a pitch competition and prizes (participants must be between 16 and 21 years of age to qualify) and a work-at-your-own-pace program available to any participant with at least 16 years of age. This program can include in-person classes and offers some prizes and grant programs.
Tax Credits
10% TAX CREDIT
Preservation tax incentives are a credit that can be taken on your federal income tax amounting to 10% of the cost of the work to renovate historic buildings. www.nps.gov (Choose "Links to Past" and then "Grants & Assistance")
The Federal Historic Preservation Tax Incentives program includes a 20% income tax credit for the rehabilitation of historic, income-producing buildings
25% TAX CREDIT
The 2017 Alabama Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit is a 25% refundable tax credit available for private homeowners and owners of commercial properties who substantially rehabilitate historic properties that are listed in or eligible for the National Register of Historic Places and are 60 years old or older. The tax credit provides jobs, increases the tax base, and revitalizes existing buildings and infrastructure, while preserving and rehabilitating Alabama's historic properties.
50% DISABLED ACCESS TAX CREDIT
A tax credit for eligible small businesses that incur expenses to provide access to persons with disabilities. The expenses must be to enable the small business to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. www.irs.gov (Form 8826-IRS)
PROPERTY TAX REDUCTIONS FOR INCOME
Producing Historic Buildings: The Wallace Property Relief Constitutional Amendment allows commercial, rental or industrial property to be assessed at the residential rate if the property is deemed historical. This equals a 50% property tax reduction.
Economic Vitality Initiative
Established in 2023, the Rainy-Day Fund is designed to provide a safety net for business owners, enabling them to enhance their businesses or buildings without any upfront costs. This three-pronged initiative includes a grant covering 50% of eligible interior or non-facade projects, with a maximum funding amount of $7,000, an interest-free loan of up to $3,500, and an emergency fund for unforeseen circumstances.
The funds can match any Main Street Atmore Grant, purchase business equipment, or replenish inventory and supplies. Micro-loan grants are available once per calendar year. Applicants must pay off their loans in full before reapplying. The interest-free loans can assist with various expenses, including roof repairs, inventory purchases, business equipment, wall repairs, and interior renovations, as well as matching grants and supporting emergency needs.
The funds can match any Main Street Atmore Grant, purchase business equipment, or replenish inventory and supplies. Micro-loan grants are available once per calendar year. Applicants must pay off their loans in full before reapplying. The interest-free loans can assist with various expenses, including roof repairs, inventory purchases, business equipment, wall repairs, and interior renovations, as well as matching grants and supporting emergency needs.