Saturday, November 16, 2024–6:35 p.m.
-David Crowder, WRGA News-
The City of Rome is looking for entrepreneurs to submit proposals for a vacant property at 110-112 Broad Street.
The Downtown Development Authority is hoping to get some innovative proposals to add new businesses to contribute to the district’s growth.
“We are accepting for a new venture from current or business owners,” said Kelley Ledford with the City of Rome. “We d make it clear that the building does have great potential, but will require updates and renovations.”
The DDA is offering incentives, including:
– Grants from $3,000 to $5,000
– Façade grant program (up to $5,000)
– Downtown marketing grant (up to $1,000)
– Eligibility for a low-interest revolving loan of up to $250,000 (restrictions apply)
“This is an idea that we had that would allow for others to come to us with an idea or a business plan for years, but they never knew how to get their feet off the ground,” Ledford added.
The property has been vacant for a number of years. The last potential proposal was for a brick-oven pizza restaurant back in 2017, but that plan never came to fruition. In December of 2021, the city purchased the property for $436,000.
There were initial plans to turn the property into a business incubator to help provide a space for small companies and businesses to develop. However, Ledford told the DDA that market studies have shown that the business incubator concept has faded since then.
“There is not a lot of funding for those anymore,” she said. “The climate has changed after Covid. So, we were trying to brainstorm some ideas. When Aundi [Lesley] was here she came up with the idea of doing something like a “Shark Tank” contest. Instead of the city deciding what goes in that spot, we would let entrepreneurs, current business owners who want to expand, or do a different business, submit proposals.”
Interested entrepreneurs are welcome to attend the walk-through and open house on Dec 4 from noon until 4 p.m.
To request the application and the program information, visit the DDA Website at DowntownRomeGa.us
Anyone with questions can contact the City of Rome Purchasing Department by 5 pm on December 20 at (706) 236-4413 or email Jackson Abercrombie at [email protected].