Main Street Atmore Member Program Incentives
Time & Submission Dates Subject to Change
Must be a member to take advantage of all Program Incentives offered by Main Street Atmore
FACADE GRANT
Established in late 2021, the Façade Incentive Program provides funding for exterior improvements to front, side, or rear façades that face a public street or parking area.
The program is designed to help property and business owners enhance the appearance and value of their buildings through financial assistance for eligible façade improvements. Participants may receive a 50% reimbursement of approved project costs, up to $7,000.
Program Impact
- $106,742 issued in façade grants
- 43 buildings improved
- $336,596 total invested in downtown façade enhancements
About the Program
The Façade Enhancement Grant Program is funded and administered by Main Street Atmore. Funds are available exclusively for exterior improvements and may be applied to any façade that faces a public street or public parking area.
This initiative supports Main Street Atmore’s ongoing mission to revitalize downtown, promote historic preservation, and encourage private investment in our community’s core.
Cloudy-Day Grant
The Cloudy-Day Grant
Established in 2023, the Rainy-Day Fund was created to provide a financial safety net for business owners, empowering them to enhance their businesses or buildings without upfront costs.
The Rainy Day Grant supports interior or non-facade improvement projects by offering matching grant funding for eligible expenses.
Program Details:
- Covers 50% of eligible interior or non-facade projects
- Maximum grant amount: $7,000
- May be used to match any Main Street Atmore Grant or to assist with interior renovations and improvements
Eligible Uses Include:
- Interior renovations or building upgrades
- Purchase of business equipment
- Replenishing inventory and supplies
- Matching other Main Street Atmore grants
Terms:
- Micro-grants are available once per calendar year
- Funds are awarded based on eligibility and project approval
Rainy-Day Loan
The Rainy-Day Loan provides flexible, low-risk financial assistance for business owners needing short-term support or funding for improvements, repairs, or emergencies.
Program Details:
- Offers up to $3,500 in funding
- Interest-free if paid in full within the agreed term length
- Interest will apply if the loan is not repaid in full by the end of the term
- Designed to assist with operational, improvement, or emergency costs
Eligible Uses Include:
- Roof or wall repairs
- Interior renovations
- Business equipment purchases
- Inventory restocking
- Matching grants or emergency expenses
Terms:
- Loans are available once per calendar year
- One-time application fee of $35
- $5 monthly bank service fee applies throughout the loan term
- Applicants must repay loans in full before reapplying
- Interest may accrue after the designated repayment period
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.