Commercial District Revitalization Program
Program Overview
The Renew NC Commercial District Revitalization Program is for eligible local governments and nonprofit organizations to revitalize designated commercial districts damaged by Hurricane Helene. Encouraging economic opportunities, while supporting the recovery of commercial areas, is essential to ensuring that commercial tenants, customers, and jobs are restored. By facilitating the return of commercial districts and businesses to profitability, jobs will be created or retained within the community and residents will continue to have access to the products and services they need within their local community.
Applications are open now through August 4, 2026. Prescreening is strongly encouraged, but not required, prior to submitting an application.
Program Details
Funding, Eligibility, and Qualifications
- Total Funding: Approximately $111 million in CDBG-DR funding is allocated for the Commercial District Revitalization Program.
- Award Size: Grants generally range from $500,000 up to $10 million per project, depending on scope and need.
- Competitive Process: Awards will be made through a competitive application process administered by the Division of Community Revitalization.
There are 28 counties and one zip code that are eligible for this program. Projects located within HUD- and State-identified Most Impacted and Distressed (MID) areas are eligible for the program. Priority is initially given to projects located within HUD-identified MID areas.
HUD-Identified MID Counties
- Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Cleveland, Haywood, Henderson, Madison, McDowell, Mecklenburg (ZIP code 28214), Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Transylvania, Watauga, and Yancey
State-Identified MID Counties
- Alexander, Alleghany, Catawba, Clay, Gaston, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Surry, Swain, Wilkes, and Yadkin
Eligible applicants include:
- Local governments (municipalities, counties) and
- Nonprofit organizations with demonstrated capacity to carry out revitalization projects and in partnership with local government.
All projects must be tied to Helene recovery and meet HUD and other federal program requirements. CDR funds may be used for a wide range of revitalization-focused activities, including but not limited to:
- Acquisition, demolition, site preparation, or rehabilitation of commercial structures;
- Facade and exterior improvements in commercial districts;
- Mixed-use projects with commercial and housing elements;
- Physical improvements and rehabilitation assistance for small businesses.
Projects must align with HUD regulations and meet a national objective.
- Prescreening: DCR offers an optional but highly recommended project prescreening.
- Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO): DCR will issue NOFOs with application materials and deadlines.
- Application Submission: Applicants complete and submit required documentation demonstrating eligibility, need, and project feasibility.
- Evaluation and Award: DCR evaluates applications against criteria.
- Post-Award Requirements: Selected applicants must comply with federal environmental review processes, reporting, construction standards, and grant compliance procedures.
Prescreening Available
Renew NC is offering a prescreening opportunity to help potential applicants, such as local governments or nonprofit organizations, prepare for the upcoming launch of the Commercial District Revitalization (CDR) Program. While not required for program application submission, prescreening is strongly encouraged. The process provides an opportunity for interested local governments and nonprofit organizations to identify and develop a CDBG-DR project in a technical assistance environment.
Applications Now Open
Applications are now open for the Renew NC Commercial District Revitalization Program! Applications must be accessed and submitted through the Renew NC Grant Portal. Proposals will be competitively scored based on applicant capacity, community need, soundness of development approach, leveraged resources, and projected long-term outcomes. Projects will be ranked by total score, with awards made to the highest-ranking projects, subject to threshold compliance, readiness, and availability of funds. The application period is open from April 6, 2026 at 12:00 PM through August 4, 2026 at 5:00 PM.
Potential applicants are strongly encouraged to complete an online prescreening prior to submitting and application. While not required, prescreening helps assess project and organizational readiness before entering the competitive application process.