Submitted By: Roberto Ellis
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Presentation By: Roberto Ellis
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Department: Growth Management
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FORMAL TITLE:
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Proposed program framework for a Retail and Restaurant Attraction, Retention and Expansion Grant
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OCALA’S RELEVANT STRATEGIC GOALS:
Economic Hub, Quality of Place
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PROOF OF PUBLICATION:
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BACKGROUND:
Staff is presenting the proposed Retail and Restaurant Attraction, Retention and Expansion Grant (Grant Program) framework for board review and feedback. This program was first implemented by the CRA in 2015 but was discontinued after multiple Downtown CRA grants were consolidated for efficiency.
The retail-focused grant is now being revised following the discussions and feedback at the City Council Work Session held on June 9, 2026.
Downtown has faced increasing pressure from shifting market dynamics, vacancy turnover, and rising construction costs.
This initiative is intended to provide additional tools that promote quality reinvestment, attract and retain retail businesses, and stabilize long-term occupancy within the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Downtown subarea.
The Grant Program is aligned with both Vision 2050 and the Downtown CRA Plan and is intended to concentrate resources on strengthening retail and restaurant activity within the Downtown CRA. As part of this transition, the previous commercial grant program will be discontinued, with funding redirected to support this new strategic initiative.
FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS:
The Grant Program is designed to incentivize highquality renovations, encourage the expansion of retail offerings, and assist restaurants seeking to invest or grow in the Downtown CRA:
Grants will target retail expansions, new retail establishments, and restaurant improvements within the CRA.
Eligible improvements include façade Improvements and interior Renovations. Projects with multiple eligible, priority work items are considered more comprehensive and will be priorit...
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