News...

• As of July 16, 2008 we have exahusted our budget for Commercial Facade Loans in the West End (Downtown) Redevelopment Area. New Applications for Commercial Facade Loans in the West End Redevelopment Area will no longer be accepted. 

On July 10, 2007 the Stockton City Council approved revisions to the City's Commercial Loan Program to better serve the needs of the Stockton business community by expanding the program boundary beyond the downtown core and increasing the funding available to commercial property owners. Following is a description of the programs:

Facade Improvement Forgivable Loan Program

The City offers a Facade Improvement Forgivable Loan to enhance the exterior of commercial, nonresidential properties (including nonprofit groups) located within the following Redevelopment Project Areas: West End (Downtown), Midtown, North Stockton, and South Stockton (see program boundary map below).

Following is a brief description of this program:

• Up to $10,000 with an additional $10,000 in matching funds for every 50 lineal street frontage. Limited to exterior, cosmetic improvements to the building (e.g., painting, awnings, new doors, windows and other decorative elements). A maximum of $100,000 allowed per project.
• Grant is packaged as a forgivable loan with a lien placed on the building. If property is kept free of graffiti and blight for a five-year period, the debt is forgiven and the lien is released.
• Up to an additional $2,500 is available for professional architectural services.
• Preference will be given projects that contribute to the overall economic development and/or quality of life within targeted areas.

Additional requirements include:

• Davis-Bacon and/or State Prevailing Wages (which ever is higher) apply for all onsite labor.
• A $500 application fee is required (as of July 1, 2008)
• All projects are subject to design and historic review.
• A $1,100.80 design review fee is required (as of July 1, 2008)
• All projects must be competitively bid with outreach to women and minority-owned businesses.
• Must be the property owner to apply.

Click here to download a PDF version of the City's Facade Improvement Forgivable Loan Application.

Downtown commercial property owners may also be eligible to recieve reduced or waived public facilities fees for buildings that have been vacant for six months or longer. For more information, visit the Downtown Financial Incentive Program page.

Emergency Grant
The City will grant up to $5,000 to commercial property owners to fix code violations that endanger the health or safety of employees or the general public. The responsible party (property owner or business owner) must be able to demonstrate that alternate sources of funds (savings, loans, etc.) are not available to fix the problem.

For more information on the above programs or to receive an application, phone (209) 937-8539 or e-mail alex.halcon@ci.stockton.ca.us

Following are additional business assistance resources:

• Downtown Stockton Alliance – 209-464-5246
• San Joaquin Revolving Loan Fund – 209-468-3615
• Small Business Development Center – 209-954-5089
• Tracy/San Joaquin Certified Development Corporation – 209-951-0801
• New Business Checklist - provides a list of resources to assist with possible requirements when starting a new business.
• Incentives & Programs Brochure - provides a list of incentives and programs that may be available to a new or expanding business.