Grants

All of GURA’s grants are first-come, first-served. There are no grant application cycles. Grant funds will be disbursed until the budget is reached. Grant seekers should review the Grants Guidelines before clicking on the links to each grant program to begin the application process.

Public Improvement Grant Program (Click link to apply)

GURA budgeted $30,000 towards grant requests for projects other than those already included in the 2012 cycle.  Apply now.

Energy Efficiency/Renewable Energy (Click link to apply)

GURA will continue funding this program at $2,500 to help downtown businesses save money by improving the use of energy and other resources. Apply now.

Web Site & E-Commerce (Click link to apply)

GURA will provide up to $15,000 ($1,000 per business for fifteen businesses) to help design a new or improved website, to upgrade e-commerce software, or to create a mobile site. GURA has funded a number of websites so far (see list below), and the benefits to the merchants have been immediate and lasting. Apply Now.

Provided assistance for these existing websites:

• www.sironapt.com - provided search engine optimization advice
• www.benefitriver.com - built a marketing portal page (tied into the legislative health care reforms) that matched their existing site
• www.caribbeanreefspice.com - helped them move to a new, less expensive e-commerce system
• www.vcgoldenwinery.com - added e-commerce ability so they could take online orders for their wine

Downtown Façade Renovation Program

Since 2008, GURA has been working with downtown building owners to improve the facades of their buildings and, where possible, restore their historic integrity. This page describes the projects completed so far under this program.