NBDSF Guidelines Index

• Purpose of the NBDSF and types of projects that are eligible for funding.

• Ineligible or unallowable activities (2.l)
• Conditions or funding limitations (2.2)

• Who is eligible to receive funds? (3.1)
• Responsibilities of participation (3.2)
• Appeals Process (3.3)
• Compliance with City Ordinance #220-1989 (3.4)

SECTION 4 -- THE APPLICATION PROCESS

• Getting Community approval for the proposal (5.1)
• Deadlines and application forms (5.2)
• Accompanying documentation to be submitted with a proposal (5.3, 5.4)
• Help in preparing a proposal (5.5)
• Getting approval of the proposal (5.6, 5.7)

• Term of the contract (6.1)
• Number and amount of contracts allowed (6.2)
• Collaboration with other organizations (6.3)
• Interim, Final and "projected" Final Reports (6.4)
• Reimbursement/Payment (6.5, 6.6)
• Contract Amendments (6.7)
• Guidelines for hiring contractors
• Required Training (6.9)
• Service on the NBDSF Review Committee (6.10)

• Defining the role of the NBD Manager (7.1)
• Recommended job responsibilities (7.2)
• Required job responsibilities (7.3)

• Composition of committee (8.1)
• To whom is the Review Committee responsible? (8.2)
• What is its purpose? (8.3)
• Election of chair (8.4)
• Quorum (8.5)
• Publicizing meeting schedule (8.6)
• Approval process for proposals (8.7-8.10)
• Cancellation of contracts (8.11)
• Program monitoring (8.12)
• Committee operating procedures (8.13, 8.14, 8.15)
• Attendance policy and penalty for non-attendance (8.16)

• Role and responsibilities of Agency the City contracts with to administer NBD.

• Role and responsibilities of the individual whom the Agency designates as the primary staff person within the organization to manage NBD and interact with the City and the 51 Community Councils.

• Role and responsibilities of the City and/or its designated department(s) in overseeing the Agency's administration of NBD and monitoring the eligibility of Community Councils that participate in the program.

• List of eligible Community Councils as determined by the City.

• Geographic definitions of eligible business districts

• Partial listing of eligible projects.

Section 1: Program Purpose And Categories Of Fundable Projects

Four categories of projects are eligible for Program grants: Organizational Development,
NBD Promotional Activities,
Physical Improvements, and
Collaboration between NBDs and Community Councils.

The purpose of the Program is to fund neighborhood business district projects that will enhance the vitality of Cincinnati's neighborhood business districts, enhance the leadership capacity of Business Associations and Community Councils, and support efforts to recruit, train, and increase the productivity of volunteers. Program funds are available for projects that are planned and implemented by eligible Business Associations and Community Councils.

There are 34 Cincinnati communities with recognized NBDs. (See Appendix A for the list of recognized NBDs). The Program's definition of an NBD is: "the contiguous placement of businesses on primary streets in the neighborhood that are reliant upon neighborhood residents, while also serving customers from other communities." Typically, NBDs are composed of retail stores, restaurants, personal services, and other similar "walk-in" customer oriented businesses. These businesses and services are in a confined geographic area that makes the NBD unique, has visual impact, and its existence is important to the vitality of the neighborhood".

The Program is limited to the business districts currently recognized in 34 neighborhoods. Minor boundary adjustments are permissible at the request of the community. Due to changes in neighborhoods, in August 2004, the Department of Community Development and Planning (the Department) will complete a review of each NBD, especially as impacted by the new Zoning Code recently approved by City Council. As a result, recognized business districts and/or their boundaries may change.

PROGRAM QUALIFYING CRITERIA

Each project must meet the following qualifying criteria: Support the City Council approved goals for the NBDSF; Be located in one of the currently recognized neighborhood business districts; Have written documentation that the neighborhood Business Association and Community Council has had an opportunity to review and comment on the project; and
Have a completion schedule not greater than 12 months after funding approval.

The maximum Program grant is $5,000 for each community. These funds can be used to support one or more of the community's NBDs.

PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY STANDARDS

Projects must meet one of the following eligibility standards:

Organizational Development: The project must strengthen, improve, and develop the NBD through organizational development activities for its association aimed at increasing its membership.

NBD Promotional Activities: The project must increase community awareness of the NBD and its businesses. These projects are specific or general activities that seek to inform, educate, and publicize the businesses and services in the NBD to neighborhood residents, the Community Council and other neighborhood stakeholders. These activities may include special events, promotional materials such as maps or web sites, or NBD identification elements that build a sense of community, pride and cohesion.

Physical Improvements: The project must focus on capital improvements, streetscape improvements or other amenities or activities in the NBD public right-of-way that are designed to improve safety, clean-up, beautify, enhance signage or lighting, and/or landscaping (including planters).

Collaboration between the Neighborhood Business Associations and Community Councils: The project activities must improve the communication and collaboration between the Neighborhood Business Association and Community Council. Such activities may include the joint sponsoring of a NBD or community event. Innovation is encouraged in this area.