Incentive and Advantages for a Downtown Shelbyville Business

The Downtown Location

  • Lower rents: compared to a strip mall location, which lack character and foot traffic, rent is generally lower in the downtown.
  • Foot traffic: Festivals, Farmers Market, events at the renovated Strand Theatre bring tens of thousands of people to the sidewalk outside your storefront on an almost daily basis.
  • Investment: Recent streetscape investments, with additional improvements to be phased in; Way finding signs program directing visitors toward the historic downtown.
  • Recent designation of the downtown as an arts district.
  • Currently about 750 people employed in the downtown, within a short walking distance to your storefront.
  • The Downtown Public Square is a free Wi-Fi Hot Spot.

Financial Incentives

  • Facade Grant Program for exterior building improvements.
  • Additional assistance with building improvements: Mainstreet offers design assistance, help with the Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit.
  • Tax abatements for improvements to a vacant building.
  • Recent designation of the downtown as an arts district.
  • Financing: Assistance navigating the Small Business Recovery Act loans, SBDC and SBA loans and programs.
  • Co-op marketing opportunities with the Downtown Business Association and vibrant “Buy Local” campaign.