“The Neighborhood STAR Program awards loans and grants for capital improvement projects in Saint Paul neighborhoods, funded by 50% of the city’s half-cent sales tax proceeds. Proposals must be neighborhood-based projects designed with neighborhood representation to strengthen Saint Paul neighborhoods and address problems, needs and opportunities. Proposals can be a project or program that results in capital improvements in Saint Paul. Innovative proposals are encouraged, and these proposals may be generated by neighborhood and civic leaders, organizations, and businesses.
Key features of the Neighborhood STAR Program include:
- A minimum of one non-city (private) dollar for every STAR dollar is required for all grant requests.
- Any portion of a loan request over $50,000 must be matched on a minimum $1 for $1 basis with non-city resources.
- Eligible activities include any physical components of strategies, programs, and / or projects which strengthen and/or improve the neighborhoods of Saint Paul.
- Capital improvements must have an expected life of seven years. Examples of eligible activities include: Improvements of residential, commercial and industrial property, Economic development efforts; Minor public improvements.
- Eligible applicants include any public, private, or non-profit entity located in or doing business in Saint Paul.
- Funding recommendations are made to the Mayor and City Council by the 21-member STAR Board, which is appointed by the Mayor and approved by the City Council.
Applications
The number of Neighborhood STAR application cycles is based on the annual Neighborhood STAR Program budget. When funding is available, the STAR Year-Round Loan and Grant Program provides access to initiatives which have a particular urgency, and cannot meet the general program cycle.
The 2020 application cycle is Friday, January 31, 2020 – Wednesday, March 18, 2020.
One information session will be held on:
Friday, January 31, 2020
10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Rondo Community Library
Multipurpose Room
461 Dale St. N
Guidelines
The Neighborhood Sales Tax Revitalization (STAR) Program provides loans and grants for physical (capital) improvement projects within Saint Paul neighborhoods. Eligible applicants include any public, private, non-profit or for-profit entity located in or doing business in Saint Paul. Eligible activities are permanently affixed, physical (bricks and mortar) enhancements that strengthen and/or improve the neighborhoods of Saint Paul. Improvements may include commercial and housing rehabilitation, parks, streetscape projects, and economic development activities. STAR funded capital improvements should have an expected life of seven or more years, and not be deferred maintenance activities.
Board
The Neighborhood STAR Board tours, reviews, interviews and recommends applications to the Mayor and City Council for approval.
The board is made up of 21 members appointed by the Mayor for four-year terms. City residency is required and Minnesota State Law requires three representatives to be appointed from each City Council Ward.”
Click on this link to find out more. https://www.stpaul.gov/departments/planning-economic-development/economic-development/neighborhood-star
