The Downtown Dover Partnership is a nonprofit organization dedicated to revitalizing our Historic Downtown Business Dis-trict. The DDP works hand in hand with the National Trust for His-toric Preservation’s Na-tional Main Street Center and the Downtown Dela-ware Main Street Initia-tive to create a variety of programs that serve to improve our district.

Our programs include:

• A variety of financial incentives
• Small Business Development Workshops
• Small Business Loans in conjunction with the US SBA
• Facade Grants to down- town property owners for exterior improvements to their buildings
• Special events and activities to nurture the community at large

WHAT PROJECTS ARE ELIGIBLE?

• New construction or renovation projects
• Located within the target area
• Fair market value of the materials to be used and the labor to be performed on the project exceeds the sum of $15,000
• Is for commercial, office or a residential use

WHAT IS THE TARGET AREA?

• The geographic boundaries of the downtown redevelopment area are defined in the Dover Code and include the Business Improvement District.
• The Dover Code can be accessed at http://www.cityofdover.com Select Quick Links—Municipal Code

A map of the target area is provided on rear panel of this brochure.

WHAT ARE THE INCENTIVES?

• Waiver of Permit Fees
  • Building, plumbing, mechanical & fire protection
• Impact Fee Waiver
  • Requires multiple story new construction or renovation on one lot
  • Combination of retail, office, residential or commercial services (at least two)
  • Waiver of City sewer and water impact fees
• Property Tax Waiver
  • 10-year waiver of property tax on improvements
  • 10-year period begins with building permit issuance
• Contribution to Downtown Dover Partnership
  • 10 % of the value of incentives must be contributed to the DDP

A detailed description of these incentives and the redevelopment target area can be found in the Dover Code, Appendix C

DDP INCENTIVES

• Facade Improvement Grant
  • Matching grants from $250 to $2500
• Facade Improvement Loan for Vacant Buildings
  • Loans from $500 to $2500
• Economic Development Improvement Loan
  • Loans up to $10,000
• DOWNLOAD BROCHURE (PDF)
• DOWNLOAD APPLICATION (PDF)

These awards subject to review and approval by the DDP Design Committee and the availability of funds.

• Start-up Loan
  • Maximum $5,000
• Downtown Merchant Loan
  • Maximum $15,000
• Rehabilitation Loan Program
  • Maximum $150,000

These loans are subject to the review and approval of the DDP Economic Development Committee and the availability of funds.