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We envision an improved quality of life for Barberton residents, now and forever.
Collaborate
Economic Development Initiatives
Barberton Community Foundation has long partnered with the City of Barberton and Barberton Community Development Corporation (BCDC) to support businesses and economic development in Barberton.
In 2020 the Foundation contracted with the Greater Ohio Policy Center to assist with the creation of a new impact plan for economic development and the Foundation’s role within that space. The resulting plan outlined several action steps focusing on downtown development, investing in Barbertonians and hiring an economic development expert to build programming.
The programs and partnerships listed here are the result of the efforts of the Foundation to strategically look at ways to increase our community-wide impact.
Who to Contact
News
Contact Gil Gonzales, Director of Economic Development, with any questions. Call 330-745-5995 or email gro.fcnotrebrab@selaznogg
Barberton Community Foundation
460 W. Paige Ave.
Barberton, OH 44203
Program Announcement: Economic Development and Downtown Building Rehabilitation Program Applications Open
The Economic Development Assistance Program (EDAP) and Downtown Building Rehabilitation Program (DBRP) are two of Barberton Community Foundation’s programs focused on supporting local business growth and developing a strong downtown.
Gil Gonzales Joins Barberton Community Foundation
Barberton Community Foundation is pleased to announce Gil Gonzales has joined the Foundation as its new Director of Economic Development. Gonzales brings a strong background in economic development and a deep commitment to supporting small businesses to his role, where he will lead and support initiatives to grow Barberton’s economic base and strengthen the community by leveraging the Foundation’s resources.
Downtown Building Rehab Program
How to Apply
To apply:
1. Create a login on GOapply. If you are creating a new account, make sure to register as an individual.
2. Select the program EDAP or DBRP by clicking “View”
3. The application is 5 easy steps: personal information, financial information, background, project scope, and sign/submit.
Project Requests are accepted June 1-30
Growing Downtown Barberton
The Downtown Barberton Rehabilitation Program encourages investment in privately owned commercial buildings to improve their marketability and preserve downtown real estate.
If your property is located in Barberton’s Downtown Historic District it may be eligible to receive funding for building improvements such as:
- Interior rehabilitation (ceilings, walls, floors, lighting, plumbing fixtures)
- Window and door replacement or repair
- Roof repairs
- Façade repairs (brickwork, tuckpointing, painting)
- Purchase or upgrade of equipment
- Additional federal tax credits may be available
Program Eligibility and Guidelines
Property must be located within the Barberton Downtown Historic District to be eligible.
Property owners, or tenants with written consent from the property owner, may submit project requests for both interior and exterior building improvements, although preference is given to interior renovation projects.
Project requests for improvements up to $20,000 will be considered. The project budget should be included in the application. Preference will be given to property owners who intend to renovate buildings that are currently vacant.
Project requests must be consistent with federal, state, county, and local regulations including zoning, building, health, and safety codes.
Funding and Timeline
Project requests for the Downtown Building Rehab Program and
The approval of applications will be determined by a joint Project Review Committee of Barberton Community Foundation and Barberton Community Development Corporation (BCDC), and by both boards.
Project requests are not loans. The program is reimbursement-based and requires supporting documentation of expenses. Funding for these programs is provided through the Foundation’s partnership with BCDC and must fit the Foundation’s redevelopment goals.
Your property must be located in Barberton’s Downtown Historic District to be eligible to receive funding for building improvements.
Ineligible Uses
While the Downtown Rehabilitation Program strives to improve the Downtown Barberton community by assisting in improving local properties, there are several uses the program does not cover. These include, but are not limited to:
- Property acquisition
- Refinancing or paying off existing debt
- Site plan or building permit fees
- Property appraisal costs, legal fees, or loan origination fees
- Building demolition
- Environmental consulting, testing, or actual abatement/clean-up costs
- Routine maintenance of the building
Economic Development Assistance Program
How to Apply
To apply:
1. Create a login on GOapply. If you are creating a new account, make sure to register as an individual.
2. Select the program EDAP or DBRP by clicking “View”
3. The application is 5 easy steps: personal information, financial information, background, project scope, and sign/submit.
Project Requests are accepted June 1-30
Supporting Business Growth
Aligning with the mission of Barberton Community Foundation, the Economic Development Assistance Program promotes economic development, business expansion, and job creation by providing funding for eligible projects in the City of Barberton. The program’s goal is to improve the quality of life for Barberton residents, now and forever.
If your business’s project qualifies, you could receive funding to complete that project with a focus on fixed-asset and infrastructure investment, which may include the following:
- Building improvements
- Leasehold improvements
- Purchase of upgrade of machinery or equipment
- Moving and relocation costs of machinery and equipment related to the project
- Infrastructure including utility, telecommunications, information technology, etc.
- Site development
Funding decisions are based on several project factors, including but not limited to:
- job creation
- additional payroll
- fixed-asset investment commitment
- project return on investment
- project location
The program requires the creation of jobs within a specified period and may consider the number of proceeds per job created.
Funding and Timeline
Project requests for the Downtown Building Rehab Program and
Project requests are not loans. The program is reimbursement-based and requires supporting documentation of expenses. Funding for these programs is provided through the Foundation’s partnership with BCDC and must fit the Foundation’s redevelopment goals.
The approval of applications will be determined by a joint Project Review Committee of Barberton Community Foundation and Barberton Community Development Corporation (BCDC), and by both boards.
The Project Review Committee may consider awarding funds for eligible projects that improve operational efficiencies or production expansion, along with the retention of jobs.
Ineligible Uses
While the Economic Development Assistance Program strives to improve the community by assisting local businesses, there are several uses the program does not cover. These include, but are not limited to:
- Bonds or other debt instruments issued by the Grantee to finance the completion of the site improvement project shall not be retired or otherwise serviced with grant funds
- Administrative costs (including salaries and travel expenses)
- Rolling stock (defined as anything that has to be registered with a government entity and/or travel on a public right-a-way)
- Contributions and donations by the Grantee to individuals or other organizations
- Costs (fines, penalties, assessments) resulting from a violation of or failure to comply with Federal, state, and local laws and regulations
- Food, drinks, and entertainment
- Goods and services for personal use by the Grantee’s employees
- Long-term housing expenses
- Interest on borrowed money
- Organized fundraising
- Taxes from which the Grantee is normally exempt
- Lease and rent payments
- Refinancing or paying off existing debt
- Property acquisition
- Site plan or building permit fees
- Property appraisal costs, legal fees, or loan origination fees
- Building demolition
- Environmental consulting, testing, or actual abatement/clean-up costs
- Routine maintenance of the building
