The Downtown Davenport Partnership (DDP) Commercial Interior Improvement Grant program is designed to make existing downtown office and retail space more marketable, while raising the overall value of the downtown SSMID.
Projects must be located within the boundaries of the Downtown SSMID to be eligible (see map).
The CIIG helps bridge the financial gap between property owner and tenant by providing financial assistance of up to $15,000 on qualified permanent improvements to the interior of a tenant's space.
This program operates as a reimbursable grant. After all interior work has been completed and the business is open, the applicant will submit receipts to the DDP and demonstrate compliance with standard closing conditions. At that point, the grant incentive can be reimbursed.
What we are trying to accomplish:
- Encourage new businesses to open downtown locations
- Motivate property owners to work with tenants to fill long-vacant spaces
- Increase the total number of retail businesses downtown
What kind of projects are eligible?
- Hazardous materials abatement, such as asbestos removal
- Interior demolition and shell reconstruction
- Compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
- Permanent equipment, plumbing, mechanical, electrical & HVAC
- Permanent lighting
- Flooring
- Historic restoration of interior features
- Permanent interior walls and finishes
- Permanent bar/counter for point of sale
- Architectural/interior design/permitting fees related to interior improvements
The following expenses are NOT eligible under the Commercial Interior Improvement Grant:
- Furniture such as tables, chairs, display racks and other similar fixtures
- Temporary or moveable cubicles or partitions to subdivide space
- Moveable equipment, fixtures, or furnishings
- Moving expenses, salaries, working capital, or inventory
- In-kind work performed by the applicant
- Artwork
- Other items deemed by staff as narrowly tailored for a particular use and not potentially beneficial to other future users of the space
Grant Amount
- Up to $15,000 per project
- Grant funding is available equaling up to 20% of owner/developer investment capped at $5 per square foot (PSF) or $15,000.
Design Assistance
Services of a design professional are not required for this grant program but are encouraged. The DDP Pre-Development Grant program offers optional design assistance if you are not yet working with an architect or designer and need help. This assistance is primarily intended to make it easier for small business to apply for the EIG & CIIG and enhance your project. For more information and to apply, click here.
Additional Information:
The DDP CIIG program will be used according to this program overview and strategically to implement the recommendations of the Downtown Davenport Master Plan. Please note that this grant program is not an entitlement and not every application will be approved for funding. The approved amount of a grant may be less than the maximum, depending on DDP priorities, funding availability, and eligible project expenditures. DDP staff will work with each applicant to determine the recommended scope of work and confirm the total grant amount eligibility.
The DDP also offers a variety of grant programs to incentivize property and business improvements. Our goal is to use DDP resources efficiently, while leveraging private investment to the fullest extent possible. In most cases, DDP will advise each applicant to apply for only one DDP incentive for their project. However, DDP staff may choose to recommend approval for more than one incentive for a high-impact project or a strategically significant property.
Review Process
Applications are managed by the DDP Business Retention & Recruitment Committee that meets quarterly to review submissions. Projects and committee decisions will be shared with the DDP Board of Directors. The total grant funding available is determined by the approved annual DDP budget (fiscal year is July 1 - June 30).
DDP reserves the right to accept or reject any and all proposals.
FY24 Deadlines
- September 15, 2023
- November 15, 2023
- January 1, 2024
- March 1, 2024
- May 1, 2024
Grant requests are typically reviewed, and decisions shared with applicants within thirty days of the aforementioned dates.
Application Steps:
- It is strongly recommended that you submit your project idea to DDP staff in advance to filling out the grant form so that we can provide guidance on how to submit a strong application
- Prepare a project budget and design plans
- Create an itemized budget for your proposed project, and basic drawings of the exterior improvements you plan to make
- Submit your final application to DDP using the form below
- DDP staff will review the budget and present the application to the DDP Business R&R Committee
- DDP staff will contact applicants with award decision
- Begin work!
- Please note that an approved EIG may be canceled if your project has not been completed within one year of the date it was approved
- If projects are incomplete after one year, a written request must be submitted to DDP staff in writing and the continuation of holding funds will be at the discretion of DDP.
- Once the work is complete and contractors are paid, submit a request for reimbursement from DDP staff.