NEW IBERIA, La. — On March 11, 2021, President Biden signed the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA), which established the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund. These funds are available to state and local governments for a one-time aid to address recovery from the economic and health effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The New Iberia City Council allocated $150,000 of these funds to a Business Development Grant program to award grants to businesses in underserved communities to facilitate growth and development in the City of New Iberia. In July 2024, applications will open for 21 small business grants (3 per Council member) of $7,000 to eligible businesses in the City of New Iberia.
Please note that project proposals for the $7,000 grant application should be feasible to complete with the $7,000 award.
What types of businesses are eligible?
Businesses must meet the following criteria to apply:
- The applicant must be the owner of the business. (Sole Proprietorship, Partnership, Corporation, Limited Liability Company)
- The applicant must be at least 18 years or older.
- The business must be registered and operate in the City of New Iberia.
- The business must be in good standing with the State of Louisiana.
- The business must have an occupational license with the City of New Iberia.
- The business must be an independent business and not part of a franchise.
- The business must be in a brick-and-mortar facility.
- The business must employ 15 or less full-time employees.
- The business must have been in operation before May 5. 2023.
- The business must have decreased revenue or gross receipts due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- The business must agree to provide services to some low- to moderate-income individuals.
- The business must be in a qualified census tract.
What types of grant expenses are eligible?
Eligible grant expenses include the following:
- Accessibility upgrades – Ramps & other ADA upgrades
- Approved Equipment Purchases
- Marketing – creation of a website, build a social media presence
- Physical Improvements – signage, awnings, façade painting, exterior lighting, solar panels.
- Note that payroll expenses are not eligible.
How will recipients be chosen?
Applications will be reviewed based on:
- Feasibility:
- Proposed project must be completed with $7,000 grant by December 31, 2026.
- Application
- Administrative Review
- Formal Presentation by applicants at the Sliman Theatre on a date TBD
- Explain request and how it would positively impact their business
Program Timeline
- Applications open: July 8, 2024
- Applications close: August 9, 2024
- Grant recipients notified by: September 1, 2024
- Grant funds spending deadline: December 31, 2026
The City of New Iberia has also allocated American Rescue Plan Act funds for the One Block at a Time: Blighted Property Program. The goal of this grant is to address the national objective of eliminating or preventing slums and blight. There are numerous residential and commercial structures that have unfortunately fallen into a state of disrepair due to fire, natural disaster, inability to maintain inherited property, among many other reasons. The city is asking the owners of these dilapidated structures to submit their location to the city for inclusion in this demolition grant. Should the applicant meet the criteria for the grant, the submitted dilapidated structure submitted for inclusion will be demolished FREE OF CHARGE.
In order to be included as an applicant for this grant, you must prove ownership of the property you wish to be included in the application as well as signing a consent form for the structure to be demolished. For additional information or if you are an owner of one of these dilapidated structures and are interested in submitting said structure for inclusion in this grant application, please provide the PARCEL NUMBER or COPY OF YOUR TAX BILL to the Office of the City Clerk located at 457 E. Main Street, Suite 300, New Iberia, LA 70560. This information can also be emailed to lkerlegon@cityofnewiberia.com or provided by phone at (337)369-2300. The deadline for property submittal is August 9, 2024.
