College Park plans to grant $30,000 to local businesses

College Park Mayor Andrew Fellows addresses the Student Government Association on Oct. 21 for the last time while in office.

College Park is granting $30,000 to local businesses through its Retail Business Improvement Fund.

Businesses looking to make improvements, such as refurbish their exteriors or install new flooring, had until Monday to apply for a grant of up to 50 percent of the project’s total cost, for as much as $5,000.

These projects benefit both the businesses and the surrounding community, Mayor Andy Fellows said.

“Sometimes businesses can’t do things to spruce up their business as a first priority,” Fellows said. “It helps the aesthetics of the community, [because] by helping out those businesses, we are making the community look better and it also makes it a more enjoyable shopping experience.”

Businesses wishing to apply for funds must meet certain criteria, said Randall Toussaint, the city’s economic development coordinator. Retailers should be located within College Park and have permission from their property owners or leasers to make capital improvements. They must also have a list of improvements with an estimated cost, construction schedule and an occupancy permit from Prince George’s County.

READ MORE: Randall Toussaint becomes city’s economic development coordinator

The program began in 2013, when it granted $25,000 to seven local businesses. The awards ranged from $1,125 to $5,000. 

Last year, College Park Bicycles was one of the local businesses to receive a grant, which it used to build an awning around its storefront. The store was awarded $5,000, the maximum amount, the store’s manager Charles Pleisse said.

“It enhances the appearance of the building, and we place bicycles outside for display all the time, so it shields them from the weather,” Pleisse said. “It also carries the name of our store as well. It’s just very useful. It shades the windows from the afternoon sun, and it helps with the energy efficiency of the building.”

Pleisse said he appreciated the city’s support of local businesses. 

“With the tax burdens and the associated costs with doing businesses in Maryland, we all are looking for any help we can get,” Pleisse said. “It’s a no-brainer; if someone’s offering up help, why wouldn’t you [want it]?”

READ MORE: Demolition for new apartment, retail complex near UMD begins

The city’s evaluation team, which is composed of city planning, community and economic officials, will review this year’s applicants on a case-by-case basis, Toussaint said. 

Toussaint said he hopes these funds will assist with local businesses’ needs as they continue to grow. 

“We’re seeing a push now from many of our long-term businesses to make more improvements,” Toussaint said. “Two major reasons that most small businesses fail are a lack of capital and lack of access to information help support the capital improvements to their businesses, one of the greatest things is that [this fund] provides financial support for businesses in the community.’ 

Although these funds support local businesses, Fellows said the city government must take care not to cross a line.

“[These funds are] one of the many initiatives we did because we like to support our local businesses,” Fellows said. “What we’ve done over the years is brainstorm ways that we can be helpful and meaningful for the businesses, but not overstepping our boundaries, because we are the local government and our job isn’t to run a business.”