From the City of Sugar Land:
Applications for the Sugar Land 4B Corporation Joint Capital Improvement Grant Program (JCIP) will be accepted through Feb. 28 at http://sugarlandecodev.com/CIP.
The program provides an opportunity for community-based organizations to partner with the Sugar Land 4B Corporation to fund projects such as public parks, roadways and other items that have a positive impact on Sugar Land residents’ quality of life.
City Council recently updated the JCIP policy to provide clarifications and improve the application process. The policy updates include a definition for community-based organizations that is defined as Homeowners Associations (HOA); Property Owners Associations (POA); and for the first time, Recognized Community Groups (RCG).
An RCG is defined as an organized group of residents in a neighborhood without an HOA or POA. Applicants who apply as an HOA or RCG should also register with the city’s Office of Communications and Community Engagement by using the “Neighborhood Registration” form located on the city’s website in the form center at www.sugarlandtx.gov/NeighborhoodRegister.
Projects must meet following requirements:
- Applicants must be a community-based organization.
- The project must be located within the city’s corporate limits.
- The project must be located on public property, in an easement or on private property (if the Sugar Land 4B Corporation determines that private ownership does not diminish or change the public benefit of the project).
- The applicant must contribute at least 50 percent (and must provide proof of financial ability to share the cost).
- The applicant cannot have started the project or expended funds on any component of the project for which it is seeking funding through the JCIP participation program.
- The budget for the fiscal year 2020 program is $200,000, with a maximum of $75,000 awarded per project.
The Sugar Land 4B Corporation was approved by City Council and established as a non-profit corporation in February 1995 to promote, assist and enhance economic development activities and quality of life opportunities within the city of Sugar Land. Projects are funded by a portion of sales tax approved by voters for economic development purposes. By law, the funds may not be used for other purposes or support the general operations of the city.
An overall focus on tourism and commercial sources to reduce the property tax burden on homeowners has been a key to delivering quality services while maintaining one of the state’s lowest property tax rates.
For questions or additional information, contact the Office of Economic Development at (281) 275-2229 or EcoDev@sugarlandtx.gov.