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CRA Programs & Incentives
The Stuart Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) offers a variety of incentive programs designed to bolster redevelopment in the Stuart Community Redevelopment Area (Stuart CRA). The objective of the incentives is to attract private investment, encourage economic growth, job creation, and enhance the quality of life for citizens within the Stuart CRA. Incentives are available to assist property owners, developers, and businesses with new construction projects or to make improvements on existing non-residential and mixed-use projects. Incentives for exterior home improvements are also available. Click here to learn more.
Please note that all benefits are contingent upon funding availability and CRA/City of Stuart Board approval.
BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT GRANT PROGRAM
The Business Improvement Reimbursement Grant Program is an incentive program to assist commercial property owners with exterior façade improvements in the Stuart CRA. The program provides a reimbursement of 50% of the total project costs up to $10,000. Exterior improvements include, but are not limited to; new awnings, balconies, porches, entryways, arcades; replacement of pole signs; exterior wall repair; restoring or enhancing the façade elevation; parking lots, driveways, walkways, and streetscaping. The application period starts on October 1st. Funding is subject to availability and approval by the CRB and CRA Boards. Please contact the CRA Administrator for the application deadline as it may vary. Apply now!
MURAL MATCHING GRANT PROGRAM
The Mural Matching Grant Program provides financial assistance to create murals on an exterior wall that is visible from the public right of-way or parking lot. The program is available to private property owners limited to commercial and mixed-use buildings within the Urban District, East Stuart District and “The Creek” Arts & Entertainment District. The program provides a reimbursement of 50% of the mural artwork up to $3,000. This grant program is available year-round. Funds are distributed on a first-come, first served basis. Funding is subject to availability and approval by the CRB and CRA Boards. Apply now!
REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT ACCELERATOR (REDA) PROGRAM
The Real Estate Development Accelerator Program is available for property owners and developers who make substantial capital investments/total project cost of one million dollars ($1,000,000) or more to an existing property or the development of a new construction project located in the Stuart CRA area. The incentive provides for a reimbursement of up to 50% of the future tax increment revenue for a maximum of five (5) years. Eligible projects include, but are not limited to: economic development projects, repurposing an existing building, mixed-use development, multi-family, off-site improvements, and extraordinary development costs. Apply now!
WAYFINDING SIGNAGE PROGRAM
The City of Stuart Downtown Wayfinding Signage Program is created to make it easier for visitors, primarily pedestrians, to find downtown businesses. This is a two-phase program. Phase I was implemented in the Old Downtown District. The second phase includes extension of the boundary for Phase I and implementation of Phase II along S Colorado Avenue. See attached boundary map and proposed pole locations in Phase II. Apply now!
RESIDENTIAL FAÇADE IMPROVEMENT GRANT PROGRAM/PAINT-UP PROGRAM
The Residential Façade Improvement Grant Program is an incentive program to make minor structural and cosmetic exterior improvements to single-family homes and duplexes, either owner-occupied or tenant-occupied residential investment properties. The program provides a reimbursement of 50% of the total costs up to $500. The program also provides a voucher of up to 100% (maximum of $500) for exterior paint. The program is limited to one (1) grant (excluding exterior paint voucher) per property. Exterior improvements include, but are not limited to: landscaping, driveways, porches, windows, doors, lighting, wall repair, fences, and exterior painting. This grant program is available year-round. Funds are distributed on a first come, first served basis. Funding is subject to availability. Apply now!
BRUSH WITH KINDNESS PROGRAM
A Brush with Kindness is a program by Habitat of Humanity of Martin County that assists low income homeowners complete exterior home improvements and correct code violations. The improvements include painting, landscaping, and/or critical home repairs to qualified homeowners in a form of no-interest and affordable loans. This program is available year round. For more information, please contact the CRA Administrator or Habitat for Humanity’s office at 772-223-9940. Apply now!
DESIGN ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
The Design Assistance Program provides property owners who are actively working toward site plan approval or building permits may receive professional design services from a qualified design professional approved by the CRA Administrator. The program provides technical assistance to owners to illustrate the appropriate types of design for the corridor. The program is intended to facilitate aggregation and redevelopment of constrained parcels, underutilized commercial properties or groups of parcels, and to promote construction of residential accommodation above commercial units. The applicant will receive design assistance through firms identified by the Stuart CRA, not to exceed $5,000. Funds will be disbursed directly to the design professional for eligible expenses. This assistance program is available year-round. Funds are distributed on a first-come, first served basis. Funding is subject to availability.
REFERRAL SERVICES
The City of Stuart is committed to helping resident's in any way we can. Please click here for helpful links and referral services.
Stuart Main Street envisions a vibrant, sustainable Historic Downtown Stuart for residents, businesses and visitors. Embracing the future while preserving the past, the Historic Downtown is a center for community life in Stuart and the larger surrounding community and home to an active spirit of civic pride and entrepreneurship, public and private sector cooperation, and the community’s historical and cultural heritage. Check out their website and Facebook page!
SOLAR
Go Solar Stuart.
We are committed to becoming a Solsmart City with goal to develop a streamlined process for solar permitting and inspections, install solar energy systems on key future local government facilities, and expand and communicate solar finance options for residential or commercial properties.
Why go Solar?
1.Solar PV is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint. Going solar will reduce the amount of green house gases that are required to power your home. Reducing green house gas emissions translates into less pollution and cleaner air and water.
2.Solar PV reduces your electric bills. By going solar you can greatly reduce and even eliminate your monthly electric bill.
3.Solar PV can provide power when the utility company’s power is out. With Solar PV you can power your house even when the local utility company’s power is out.
Does my roof get enough sun?
Google has created a web tool to assist in the determination of your home’s solar potential. Click on the link below to view information on solar PV requirement for your roof as well as your potential savings and the estimated timeframe of your return on investment.
Click here for Google’s Project Sunroof.
Solar Permitting
Our Solar Permitting Process is hassle free with a three day or less turnaround time for solar permit approval.
Follow the steps on the solar check list for both thermal and Photovoltaic solar systems to secure a solar permit.
SOLAR ENERGY LOAN FUND (SELF)
The City of Stuart in conjunction with the non-profit Solar Energy Loan Fund (SELF) is pleased to announce our energy efficiency assessments free to City residents. The partnership offers energy assessments free for City residents (valued at $275) to help homeowners identify and make cost-effective home energy improvements.
Energy Saving Products & Effectiveness
SELF provides energy expertise and low-interest rate loans to help property owners finance more than 24 different types of energy saving products, including:
- High-efficiency air conditioners, windows, and doors
- Solar Photovoltaic (PV)
- Solar water heaters,
- Weatherization
SELF clients are reducing their energy consumption by more than 20% and using the energy savings to help pay off the loan over time. The home energy improvements are not only helping property owners save money on their electric bills but are simultaneously improving quality of life, enhancing the market value and equity in the property and increasing efficiencies and reducing operating costs.
For More Information
For more information on Solar Energy Loan Fund or how to apply for an Energy Assessment, call 772-468-1818 or visit the Solar Energy Loan Fund Facebook page.
