Retailer and Commercial Tenant Improvement Program

The City of Helotes Economic Development Corporation (HEDC), in its continuing effort to support the development and redevelopment of the community, has created a Retailer and Commercial Tenant Improvement Program for business owners and building owners within the corporate City limits of Helotes.

The HEDC is committed to helping grow the retail and commercial businesses within the City of Helotes. This program recognizes the importance of incentives to provide certain funds to eligible business tenants to defray a portion of the costs incurred in starting new and expanding existing businesses.

This is a reimbursement grant program. The HEDC acquires no ownership, control, or property interest otherwise in the design, construction, and final product of the improvements.

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Eligibility

To secure a compelling mix of businesses, the HEDC has identified certain business/tenant types that are eligible for this program to include retail, restaurant, office, and craft niche businesses. In order to protect the public investment, any business tenant interested in applying must have a lease agreement of three (3) or more years at the property where improvements will be made. The following table identifies the types of businesses that were identified as desired uses.

Eligible Business Types

Restaurants and Bars

Retail (Apparel, Footwear, Home Furnishings, Electronics, Sporting Goods, Crafting, etc.)

Office (Single or Multi-Tenant Professional Offices)

Hotel

Specialty/Gourmet Grocery

Non-Eligible Business Types

Automotive Oriented Businesses

Personal Services (Nail or Beauty Salon, Massage)

Dollar or Thrift Stores

The HEDC retains discretion to consider stores that fall outside the above-mentioned business types, but serve to fill a limited or underserved sector.

Eligible Improvements

Structural walls, subfloor, or ceiling

Attached fixtures

Roofing (arising from structural or integrity concerns)

Exterior door/window replacement

Mechanical equipment

Security or fire protection systems

Exterior painting

Electrical or plumbing repair, installation, or upgrade

Interior cabinetry or woodwork

Exterior brick veneers or treatments

Signage (new, repair or replacement)

Original exterior architectural feature repair or replacement

Interior/exterior demolition

Interior drywall or feature walls

Improvements for ADA accessibility compliance

Funding Detail

Up to50%

of Total Cost of Eligible Improvement Funded.

Up to $20000

Grant for New Business
(or $25 per square foot)

Up to $10000

Grant for Existing Business
(or $15 per square foot)

Applicants who apply for funding after commencing improvements are ineligible.

Grant recipients may re-file a subsequent grant application with the HEDC no sooner than five (5) years from the original grant approval date.

Application Process

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Applications for grant funding will be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis. Only completed applications that include all required submittal documents and information will be forwarded to the to the HEDC Board of Directors for review within thirty (30) business days or the next regularly scheduled meeting.

In order to receive a Tenant Improvement Grant, an application must be determined to have a minimum of 3 points from the following list. The number of points that an application receives will correspond to the amount of money per square foot that it will be eligible to receive. The HEDC reserves the right to approve or disapprove each application for any reason.

  • 3 points = Up to $10 per square foot
  • 4 points = Up to $15 per square foot
  • 5 points = Up to $20 per square foot
  • 6 or more points = Up to $25 per square foot

Key Consideration

Does the project target businesses sought by the HEDC?

  • Office – 1 point
  • Retail, Restaurant, Bar, Hotel – 2 points

Building/space that has been vacant for more than 6 months

  • Yes – 1 point

How many anticipated jobs will be created?

  • 1-5 FTE employees – 1 point
  • 6-10 FTE employees – 2 points
  • 11 or more FTE employees – 3 points

Does the project generate sales tax in Helotes?

  • Sales tax from $1,000 to $4,999 – 1 point
  • Sales tax from $5,000 to $9,999 – 2 points
  • Sales tax above $10,000 – 3 points

Applications with fully executed lease that are:

  • 3 years in length from the date of application – 1 point
  • 5 years in length from the date of application – 2 points
  • Building owner and applicant- 2 points

Once the grant is awarded, the grantee has six (6) months to begin construction and nine (9) months to complete the project and open for business. If one or both of these criteria are not met, the grantee will be notified in writing that the grant is terminated. Work may begin only after the agreement with the HEDC is fully executed. The grantee can request an extension if nearing the construction lapse date. One extension may be granted at the discretion of the HEDC staff.

Approved applicants will enter into an agreement with the HEDC.

The applicant obtain all required permits then begins construction.

HEDC staff may performs site visits through the construction process.

City’s Building Inspector inspects and approves the completed project.

Provide Proof of Payment & Get Reimbursed.

Matching grant funds will be released to the applicant within thirty (30) business days from the time of passing inspection and receipt of proof of payment.

Questions

If you have further questions regarding the Program, contact Glenn Goolsby, Economic Development Specialist at:

Glenn Goolsby
City of Helotes
Economic Development Corporation
12682 FM 1560 W, Suite 105(Physical)
P.O. Box 507 (Mailing)
Helotes, TX 78023
Phone: (210) 695-5910
E-mail: ggoolsby@helotes-tx.gov