Façade, Sign, Landscaping Grant Improvement Program

The Town of Maggie Valley is now offering a Façade, Sign, Landscaping Grant Improvement Program to encourage property owners and existing businesses to improve the appearance of existing properties and provide an incentive for new businesses to locate in Maggie Valley. Award Amounts Applicants are eligible to receive up to 50% of eligible improvements up to $25,000, depending on the scope of the project. The award is limited to 50% of the total eligible improvement of a project up to a maximum of $25,000, whichever is lesser. Applicants are responsible for the other 50% of the project cost. This is a reimbursement program; applicants must complete and pay for the total project cost or total private match prior to receiving a reimbursement from this grant.

Eligible applicants

• Structures used for commercial purposes located in Commercial or Mixed-Use Zoning Districts within Maggie Valley Town limits.
Applicants may be the property owner(s) or business owner(s).Town of Maggie Valley elected officials, staff, or their spouse or family members are ineligible for the grant.

• No home-based businesses or new construction projects are eligible.
• All real property taxes must be paid in full, and the property must be current on water & sewer accounts and any other Town fees.
• Properties with code violations must be brought into compliance prior to payment of grant funds.
• Properties that have been previously awarded grant funds from the Town are not eligible to apply for additional funding unless the improvements are for another project not previously reimbursed by the Town, or the new project is deemed to make significant improvements to the property, or more than three years have passed since the last grant award was received for a similar project.

Eligible Improvements Eligible Improvements include but are not limited to:

• Replacement or repairing of brickwork, plaster, or wood siding, including painting, cleaning, and repainting.
• Replacing, repairing, or relocating storefronts, doors, or windows, including the removal of inappropriate or incompatible exterior finishes or materials.
• Replacing exterior lighting or adding exterior lighting.
• Repairs, additions, or installation of awnings.
• Installation or improvement of permanently installed signage. (Signage must be a permanent installed feature of the façade and may not be portable or removable.)
• Landscape improvements. All eligible improvements shall meet the requirements set forth in the Town’s Appearance Standards and Design Review Document.

Ineligible Improvements

• New construction
• Interior improvements
• Equipment or inventory
• Deferred maintenance
• Functional improvements that do not improve the aesthetics of the property
• Architectural or engineering fees associated with project planning and design
• Improvements completed prior to the approval of the application
• Any improvements not meeting building codes, local ordinances, or other applicable regulations
• Any improvements not visible from the primary street

Application Process Applicants should submit the Preliminary Application along with:

• Two color photographs that show existing building conditions
• Detailed sketches or drawings of the proposed improvements (including placement, color, dimensions, and materials)
• Two bids on contractor letterhead

Submit the completed Preliminary Application to: Maggie Valley Planning Department Email: kfinkle@maggievalleync.gov Address (Mailing & Physical): 3987 Soco Road Maggie Valley, NC 28751

Applications will be accepted on a rolling/quarterly basis. Application review periods will be March 31, June 30, September 30, December 31.

Qualified applicants will be contacted by staff and required to complete a full application, including the following information:

• Final design plans, outline and description of proposed improvements, materials list
• Professional design sketch or rendering of the proposed improvements, if needed for certain types of improvements
• Finalized line-item budget or cost estimates from licensed construction professionals
• Proof that Federal, State and local taxes are paid and current
• Proof of current property and casualty insurance • Evidence that contractors are licensed and bonded or insured
• Accurate color samples (required for painting approvals)
• Material samples that indicate quality of finishes
• Sign and notarized applicant affirmation, including confirmation that you are not a Town elected official, staff, or their spouse or family member.

An inter-departmental team of town staff will review the preliminary applications to determine which projects merit further consideration. The review team reserves the right to suggest modifications to plans and will contact the applicant to review the scope of work. The staff review team makes a recommendation to Board of Alderman for approval.

Grant award decisions will be based on, among other things, the following criteria:

• Impact to the front-facing façade of the proposed building (quality design is valued)
• Degree of which project meets design standards
• Benefit to small business owners
• Benefit to neighboring properties Approval Process To receive funding, an applicant must receive approval from the Town of Maggie Valley Board of Aldermen within forty-five days (45) of receiving the recommendation from staff review team.
• The applicant will be contacted after final recommendation and review.
• Upon approval, the Town enters into a grant contract with the applicant setting forth the scope of work as approved by the review team, payment terms and other requirements.
• Proof of payment and project completion are required for reimbursement. Costs incurred prior to the signed contract date are not eligible.
• Applicants must notify the Town if the scope of work, budget, or contractor chosen has changed from what was approved by the Board of Aldermen.
• Applicant must obtain all necessary permits for the project. All contractors working on the project must be licensed and registered with the State of North Carolina.
• Approved projects should be completed within 180 days or funds may not be guaranteed.
• Staff will be permitted to inspect the project to ensure conformance with the grant contract.
• This grant program is subject to funding availability and may be updated, as necessary.
• Town reserves the right to determine the actual costs to be reimbursed based on a review of costs qualifying as eligible improvements.

RISE and SHINE

The Chamber’s RISE and SHINE was held Tuesday, May 3  at the Town Hall Pavilion. Teresa gave an overview of the Chamber’s activities last month.

Jane Maurer, Great Smoky Mountain Association gave a presentation on the organization and how they support the National Park system.

Our next meeting will be held June 7th. Results of the Business Pulse Survey will be discussed. Karla Wood will give us a in depth look at Take 10 Aqua Massage!

Click below to see the 2022 Arts & Crafts Poster

2022 Arts & Crafts

Obstacle Course Project Update

The obstacle course project continues to move forward. A dozen businesses, who appeared to have space to host an obstacle were contacted and nearly all were interested. During that phase, the question businesses asked most frequently was about liability protection, so are working with Town Hall to explore how to address that before resuming outreach to businesses. So, if you are interested in your business potentially hosting an obstacle, don’t worry, we will resume outreach later. Town Hall is also exploring obstacles to locate in parks, which will complement and incentivize visits to the ones at businesses. As always, if you have any questions, feel free to contact Tony Malinauskas, Project Coordinator (tmalinauskas888nc@gmail.com)

MaggieValley.org and MaggieValleyFestivalGrounds.com

Chamber Website Statistics – May 2022
MaggieValley.org Website Visits: 67,814
Top Pages, Attractions, Vacation Rentals, Visitor Guide online
Visitor Guide Viewed On Line: 1,721
Maggie Valley Festival Grounds website views: 25,276

Chamber Website Statistics – April 2022
MaggieValley.org Website Visits: 86,437
Top Pages: Attractions, Vacation Rentals, Visitor Guide on line
Visitor Guide Viewed On Line: 1,916
Maggie Valley Festival Grounds website views: 31,730

Chamber Website Statistics – March 2022
MaggieValley.org Website Visits: 26,198
Top Pages: Attractions, Lodging, Visitor Guide on line
Visitor Guide Viewed On Line: 1,720
Maggie Valley Festival Grounds website views: 49,427

Chamber Website Statistics – February 2022
MaggieValley.org Website Visits: 40,468
Top Pages: Attractions, Lodging, Visitor Guide on line
Visitor Guide Viewed On Line: 1,704
Maggie Valley Festival Grounds website views: 26,084

Chamber Website Statistics – January 2022
MaggieValley.org Website Visits: 31,583
Top Pages: Attractions,  Vacation Rentals, Weather/Webcam
Visitor Guide Viewed On Line: 1,648
Maggie Valley Festival Grounds website views: 24,762

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS!!

Black Bear Bistro & Pizzeria, Business Partner

Maggie Valley Lifts, LLC, Community Partner

Carolina Asphalt Maintenance, Executive Member

Up The Creek Cabin, Premier Partner

Fox Web Design & Computer Service, Premier Partner

Homestead RV Park For Seniors, Business Partner

Valley RV Repair, Business Partner

Clarketon Motel, Business Partner

Valley Tavern, Business Partner

Roses in the Valley Florist, Business Partner

Tony Malinauskas, Patron Member

Scott’s Automotive & Lockout, Community Partner