The City of Grover Beach can provide direct and indirect assistance to facilitate economic development. Improvement Agency participation will be considered where public investment is needed to leverage significant private investment. Improvement Agency funding is intended to close the financial “gap” that allows the project to go forward. The following tools could be used as potential economic development incentives:

• Public Improvements: assistance may be provided with the construction of public improvements including utilities, curb, gutter and sidewalk, decorative street/sidewalk paving, street lights, trees and landscaping, and street furniture including trash receptacles, benches, or public art.

• Facade Improvement Loans and Reimbursements: The City has three different facade improvement programs to choose from in deciding what best meets the merchant’s needs. This financing portfolio includes low interest loans for up to $20,000, no interest loans for up to $5,000, and cash reimbursements for up to $5,000 for qualified storefront renovations.

• Land Assemblage and Property Acquisition: The Improvement Agency could acquire commercial and industrial property through condemnation as a means of last resort. Acquisition of residential property is prohibited.

• Participation in the Purchase of Property: The Improvement Agency could provide financial assistance in purchasing property.

• Financial Incentives: The Improvement Agency can also provide financial assistance through several programs including the reinvestment of future tax increment back into projects, low interest loans, payment of fees, and the like.

• Financing Assistance: Coordination and contribution in securing taxable or tax-exempt financing for development, Federal HOME funding, Community Development Block Grants, and/or other publicly funded financial assistance.

• Site Remediation: Assistance with permitting and funding the clean-up of contaminated sites and remediation expenses.

• Relocation Assistance: The Improvement Agency can also assist in relocating tenants and owners to other locations where necessary on joint public/private partnership projects.

• General Staff Assistance: The Improvement Agency staff can also take the lead in a facilitative role in support of amendments to the General Plan, Zoning Ordinance, Variances, Street Abandonments, or other permitting issues that may arise.