Subject:
Title
Lealman Community Redevelopment Area commercial improvement program grant program changes.
label
Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Sitting as the Pinellas County Community Redevelopment Agency, approval of the material changes to grant program guidelines and the associated contract amendments for the Lealman Community Redevelopment Area (CRA) commercial improvement grant program.
• Recommended changes to update program to allow for: site improvements to include drainage and parking reconfigurations, exterior building improvements to include flood proofing in floodplain, reduce barrier to change of use for properties and buildings, move from maintenance to real improvements to properties and buildings and incentivize food-service industry.
• The maximum grant award has been increased from up to $40,000.00 to $100,000.00, which may be used across four improvement categories: site improvements, building exterior, building interior and food service/grocery (new).
• Limit interior and food-service categories to $25,000.00 each.
• Keep the 50% match requirement.
• Eligible properties were expanded for Joe’s Creek Industrial Park to equal the Target Employment and Industrial Lands Study map.
• Clarified eligible and ineligible activities, simplified grant requirements and timelines, streamlined reimbursement procedures, and updated language regarding inspections and proof of payment.
• The program changes have been discussed with the CRA Advisory Committee over three meetings with a unanimous vote of support for approval at their February 25, 2026, meeting.
• Approval of this item will implement the proposed changes to the grant program, which will be reflected in the Grant Guidelines and the participant grant contracts.
• There is no fiscal impact associated with these changes to grant program guidelines and the associated contract amendments. Funding for the Commercial Improvement Program Grant is included in the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget in the amount of $300,000.00 in the Lealman CRA Fund. Funding for future years is dependent on approval in the annual County Operating Budget. Body
Body
Strategic Plan:
Prosperity and Opportunity
3.3. Increase workforce opportunities.
3.5. Foster business growth.
Summary:Summary
The Commercial Improvement Program offers up to $100,000.00 for any combination of categories, except interior and food service / grocery improvements that are limited to $25,000.00 each.
The program aims to provide matching grants to accelerate and leverage private investment to improve the appearance, condition, and functionality of existing non-residential sites and buildings in the Lealman Community Redevelopment Area (CRA).
The program was reviewed by CRA Staff and the CRA Advisory Committee to make meaningful updates to incentivize site improvements to include drainage, allow for substantial exterior building improvements to include flood proofing in floodplain, reduce barrier to change use of existing properties and buildings, move from property and building maintenance to real improvements and incentive food-service industry related businesses.
Body
Background Information:
This grant program is included in the Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) Lealman Work Plan and Budget, approved by the Board of County Commissioners sitting as the Community Redevelopment Agency during their regular meeting on September 18, 2025.
The Commercial Improvement Grant Program was established in 2018 to assist in improving the appearance, condition, and functionality of existing non-residential sites and buildings in accordance with the CRA Plan.
Fiscal Impact:
Funding for the Commercial Improvement Program Grant is $300,000 for FY26 Budget. There is no fiscal impact on the Commercial Improvement Program Grant in the FY26 Budget with the material changes to the grant program. Appropriations for subsequent years will be contingent on future budgets.
Staff Member Responsible:
Amy Davis, Assistant to County Administration
Cameron Ehmig, CRA Specialist, Lealman Community
Colan Treml, CRA & Economic Development Coordinator, Lealman Community
Partners:
Lealman CRA Advisory Committee
Lealman residents, businesses, stakeholders, and community partners
Attachments:
FY26 CRA Commercial Grant Guidelines- Tracked changes
FY26 CRA Commercial Grant Guidelines-Clean
FY26 CRA Commercial Improvement Program Agreement (With Tracked changes)
FY26 CRA Commercial Improvement Program Agreement (Clean)
Outline of Changes to Commercial Improvement Grant Program
Summary of changes Commercial Grant Program FY26
Adopted FY26 CRA Workplan