Louisiana Main Street Restoration Grants provide matching funds to encourage the revitalization of historic downtown commercial properties located in designated Louisiana Main Street districts.
Donor Name: Louisiana Office of Cultural Development
State: Louisiana
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant | Reimbursement | Matching Grants
Deadline: 05/31/2024
Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000
Grant Duration: 1 Year
Details:
The Louisiana Main Street Restoration Grants serve as an effort to promote community revitalization and stimulate economic growth and vitality, in addition to enriching cultural tourism. Community reinvestment utilizing historic preservation practices improves community economic health by fostering renewed interest in shopping, working, and living downtown.
Funding Information
Grant awards may range from $2,500 to $10,000.
Grant Period
July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025.
What is funded?

Exterior: The scope of work must directly contribute physically (visually and with regard to historic preservation) and economically to the revitalization of the Main Street district while preserving and respecting the historic architectural character of the building, district, and architectural heritage of the community.
Interior: Improvements are restricted to exposing, restoring or replicating original interior architectural features. The grant can also be used to offset costs of installing or repairing a fire suppression system for either a commercial ground floor space or a new (first-time) upper story income-producing residential development in a historically commercial building.
Parapet Lighting: Commercial grade white or color LED lighting to outline a series of building parapets is a lighting initiative intended to create a nightly, year-round festive atmosphere in Main Street districts. Buildings must be adjoining and must include at least one block.

Applications require a minimum five-year maintenance commitment plan.
If the city oversees the purchase, installation, and maintenance of the lights, the local Main Street program may apply in conjunction with the city, and installation costs incurred by the city may apply toward the required match.
Installation must be of professional standard, and secure for longevity of use and to minimize damage and maintenance issues.

Signage: Restoration of historically significant/landmark signage or the restoration or replication of historic theater marquees is eligible. (New commercial signage is not supported by this grant.)

Who may apply?

Property owners or tenants of commercially-zoned properties located within designated Louisiana Main Street districts as of December 31 of the calendar year preceding the application deadline.

Tenants must obtain the property owner’s consent signature on the grant application.
If the applicant is a corporation, the grant application must be accompanied by a resolution from the corporation’s board of directors authorizing the applicant’s signature on behalf of the corporation.
If the applicant is a co-owner of the property, the grant application must be accompanied by a statement authorizing the applicant to act on behalf of all co-owners. The statement must be signed by all co-owners.

Buildings must be at least 50 years old and must contribute to the significance of the local Main Street district. Buildings less than 50 years old may be eligible if they meet National Register criteria for exceptional significance as an integral part of a historic district that is listed or eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. The local Main Street director will assist the applicant in determining if the building meets this eligibility requirement. Louisiana Main Street will make the final determination based on the support documentation submitted with the application.

For more information, visit LOCD.