CRA approves improvement matching grants for MLK

The Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) recently approved six Commercial Property Improvement Matching Grants for the MLK redevelopment area.

The first grant was in the not-to exceed amount of $83,967.50 for Community Cooperative Inc., located at 3429 Dr. MLK Blvd. The funds will be used for landscaping, parking lot improvements, a new awning/canopy, door replacement, exterior lighting replacement,  soffit fascia replacement and new signage.

The second was awarded to Heyden Enterprises LLC., located at 3625 Dr. MLK Blvd. in the not-to exceed amount of $29,700.00 for exterior patching and painting and parking lot improvements.

The third grant was in the not-to exceed amount of $200,000 for Gulf Coast Humane Society, Inc., located at 2010 Arcadia St. The funds will be used for exterior patching and painting,  irrigation, a driveway and walking path, dumpster enclosure, fencing, landscaping and soffit/fascia repair.

The fourth matching grant was awarded in the not-to exceed amount of $7,031.25 to Two Step Enterprises located at 2534 Highland Ave. The funds will go toward parking lot improvements and fence replacement.

Veronica Shoemaker Florists LLC. located at 3510 Dr. MLK Jr. Blvd. received the fifth approved grant in the not-to exceed amount of $13,480.50. The florist will use the funds for new fencing and parking lot improvements.

The final grant was awarded to House of Prayer Apostolic Church of God IV, Inc. located at 2112 Mitchell Ct. in the not-to exceed amount of $123,681.71. The church plans to use the grant for signage, parking lot improvements, surveying and landscaping.

These are the last grants for the Dr. MLK area for the 2025 fiscal year.

The CRA Commercial Property Improvement Grant Program is a matching grant for commercial property owners and businesses within Fort Myers redevelopment areas. The maximum potential grant available for a project in Tier I is 75 percent of the total eligible expenditure, with a maximum award of $50,000. The Fort Myers CRA has offered commercial preservation incentives/ grant programs since 2010 and grant awards are based on the availability of funds.

More information on the CRA’s Commercial Property Improvement Grant Program can be found at https://www.fortmyerscra.com/incentives/commercial-property-improvement-matching-grant.