Storefront rebate program starts
By Allison Pritchard
Rocky River
Published March 25, 2009

Rocky River business owners are now able to fix up their building facades with a little help from the county — a 30 percent rebate for exterior improvements.

Since the Storefront Renovation Rebate Program began March 2, one application, from Leo Luck’s Auto Repair, has already been reviewed and approved by the county on March 6, said Kory Koran, director of economic and community development for the city of Rocky River.

The program, sponsored by the Cuyahoga County Commissioners Department of Development, is designed to assist business owners with improving sides of business buildings that the public sees and addressing exterior code violations, according to the program’s Web site.

An additional five percent rebate will be given to businesses that use green, sustainable or recycled components in their projects, Mayor Pamela Bobst said.

This is the first time Rocky River is eligible for these funds, Bobst said, who thinks the program will be very worthwhile to local business owners, Bobst said.

Leo Luck’s has already begun its project that consists of adding glass block windows and a new awning.

After completion, the county will reimburse the company with 30 percent of the cost the awning and 35 percent of the cost of the glass block windows because they meet the county’s standards as “energy efficient,” Koran said.

Several companies have inquired, and applications are now being accepted, Bobst said.

Improvements may include façade improvements, signs, awnings, windows, doors, front parking lots, painting, cleaning, exterior code access, lighting, ADA compliant access and landscaping (only in addition to the aforementioned). Interior buildings improvements are ineligible, according to the Web site. The rebate maximum is $6,000 per store.

Visit  development.cuyahogacounty.us/en-US/2009-Storefront-Renovation-Rebate-Program.aspx for more information.

Leo Luck’s Auto Repair is located at 19985 Detroit Road.

Questions regarding the storefront renovation rebate program can be forwarded to the county’s contact Pequita Hansberry, (216) 443-8397, or Koran at (440) 331-0600.

On the Web:

• Cuyahoga County Department of Development