Auburn Downtown Revitalization Initiative Small Project Grant Fund – Round Three

•   Includes building systems like plumbing, electrical, and HVAC

•   Signage

•   Soft costs (architecture, engineering, environmental testing)*

•   Permanent machinery and equipment

See Match Requirements section below

Specific working capital is eligible for match.

Specific working capital is eligible for match.

* Any of the eligible activities listed above

* In-kind costs

* Eligible Soft Costs

* Costs incurred prior to the grant award date

* Working capital expenses for entrepreneurs and existing businesses: rent, utilities, inventory, commercial and property insurance, licensing fees, capitalized website development costs (new or substantially upgraded website)

* Ineligible activities listed above

* Working capital expenses: general office/business supplies (paper, pens, general cleaning supplies, computers, etc.), non-capitalized advertising and marketing costs, payroll and related expenses

Applicants will need to submit certain information regarding the environmental impacts of their projects. CEDA will submit this information to the State for review.

CEDA will work with awarded applicants to develop a contract with a formal scope of work that provides a detailed description of the project scope, use of funds, requirements, projected timeline, monitoring requirements, clawback provisions, and particular items that need to be addressed within the project.

A minimum of two bids or proposals will be obtained and reviewed for all project costs, including but not limited to purchases, services and renovation, administration or professional service activities. CEDA will exercise appropriate oversight over the entire process to ensure that it is fair, efficient and free of actual and perceived conflicts of interest. The lowest responsible bid should be selected. If the property owner chooses other than the lowest bidder, reimbursement will be based on the amount of the lowest bid.

Awarded projects must use electricians and plumbers certified to work in the City of Auburn, lists of which can be found on the City of Auburn Code Enforcement website. All contracted work for an awarded project must solicit bids/quotes through a Request for Proposals (RFP). All contractors must supply references and proof of proper insurance. All bidders must have equal access to relevant information, including information on the property itself. The bids or proposals for all activities must be submitted directly to CEDA by the contractor. CEDA will advise the property owner of acceptability of bids/proposed cost. CEDA shall select the lowest responsible bidder. If the property owner chooses other than the lowest bidder, reimbursement will be based on the amount of the lowest bid. The RFP and bid process must be free of conflict of interest in that a contractor cannot receive DRI funds for work done on property that he or she owns, or a property that is owned by an immediate family member. An immediate family member includes a spouse, son, daughter, stepson, stepdaughter, father, mother, stepfather, stepmother, brother, sister, grandfather, grandmother, grandson, granddaughter, father-in-law, mother-in-law, son-in-law or daughter-in-law.

All projects will be required to make a good faith effort to utilize women-owned business enterprise (“MWBE”) certified firms in their project, as well as Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Businesses (“SDVOBs”). CEDA will work with awarded applicants to identify firms to include in the bid process to meet this requirement.

For all projects, CEDA will conduct a final inspection to ensure that the project was completed in alignment with the contract. For projects including renovation or leasehold improvements, CEDA will perform periodic inspections of the renovation activities. Furthermore, renovation projects will be subject to a 3-year compliance period during which time the applicant could be subject to recapture of the grant if the building is sold or not appropriately maintained.

For both reimbursable expenses and match, applicant must submit an invoice on vendor letterhead and proof of payment (credit card or online payment receipt, cleared check copy, or an account statement which shows the withdrawal). Cash payments and hand-written receipts will not be accepted.