Commercial property owners with plans to revitalize their potentially unsafe or blighted properties within downtown areas to turn them into usable spaces for business development opportunities may apply for Vacant Property Revitalization Funding. Project requirements include: 

• Projects must include the rehabilitation of vacant or underutilized commercial buildings and spaces, into usable spaces that contribute to new economic and community benefits through new businesses, job creation and enhancing the overall quality of life for residents in the community.  
• The commercial building, or portion of the building you are requesting funds for, must currently be vacant:  
• Building is unoccupied, unattended and not actively used as a place of business or residence  
• Needs construction and rehabilitation (structural, codes compliance, internal renovations) to make a usable space to create economic opportunities  
• Properties must comply with local zoning ordinances to be eligible.  All required variance, conditional use permits, SEQR and/or site plan reviews must be secured and approved before work can begin. 
• Awardee must submit project design for approval before project begins.  
• Awardee must meet with staff and program partners periodically to ensure project plan and feasibility are sufficient. 
• The awardee will submit paperwork to the State Historic Preservation Office and ensure the project is in accordance to the State Historic Preservation Office. 
• Site plan reviews and SEQR will be required based on local zoning laws. 
• The awardee agrees that the LCDC shall at all times have access to the job site and premises for the purpose of inspecting and reviewing renovation work.  
• Rehabilitation projects must begin within six (6) months of approval. 
• As a condition of receiving assistance under this program, owners must commit to renting, or actively market to rent the space, for a period of three (3) years from project completion (“Regulatory Period”).  
• Any contract or agreement to be executed relative to the work as listed in the Project Agreement shall require that the owner give all notices required by, and comply with, all applicable laws, ordinances, regulations and codes of the local jurisdictions. 
• All awardees shall be required to obtain a policy of general liability insurance with limits of not less than one million dollars ($1,000,000).  Said policy or policies shall include fire and theft.  Each policy or policies of insurance required shall be in form and content satisfactory to the LCDC and shall provide that the LCDC is named as the additional insured and that the LCDC is name as a loss-payee. 
• Upon project completion, the general contractor shall provide a certification from the general contractor that work has been completed. 
• All property owners must maintain ownership of property for a minimum of five years after project completion and receiving grant.  If property owner sells property within five years of project completion and receiving grant, they must pay back grant money according to LCDC schedule.  

• Lewis County, in partnership with the Lewis County Development Corporation, has made funding available to the 2025 Vacant Property Revitalization Fund 
• Commercial property owners may apply for financial assistance in the form of a reimbursement grant at 50% of project costs up to $100,000 per project for construction rehab assistance for vacant properties within downtown areas in Lewis County, NY.  
• Funding will be reimbursed to the property owner once agreed upon milestones are met and project is complete. 
• Projects that have already been completed or started are not eligible for funding.  
• Applications will be reviewed on a quarterly basis, or until 2025 funding is dispersed (see timeline for quarterly deadlines to submit) 

An independent Community Economic Development Programs Committee reviews Vacant Property Revitalization Fund applications and makes recommendations to the Lewis County Development Corporation Board for approval based on the following criteria:  

• The applicant must be a commercial property owner located in Lewis County, NY. 
• Project must reduce blight, contributing to the economic recovery of downtown areas. 
• The project must be a vacant building and/or floor (currently unused, or unable to be used due to remediation or construction needs)  
• The project must include renovation of commercial buildings resulting in occupancy through new business or residential (residential occupancy includes 2nd floors and above)  
• The project must be financially feasible  
• The project must show community benefit, such as increased tax base, job creation or new business development  
• Project demonstrates a financial need for Vacant Property Revitalization Funds and demonstrates 50% match of the total project cost with cash on hand or other secured financing.  
• Project demonstrates feasibility, willingness and motivation to complete the project.  
• Applications will not be approved for individuals that have unpaid property taxes, school taxes, water/sewer charges.