Main Street
City of Opelousas is one of 34 communities designated as a Louisiana Main Street Community.
Mission
The mission of Opelousas Main Street is to build long-term sustainable downtown revitalization; we will embrace projects to promote cultural diversity, tourism and business development, while beautifying and celebrating the history of the Opelousas Main Street District.
Main Street Map
Programs/Initiatives
2017-2018 Main Street Restoration Grant Gudielines and Application
2017 Main Street Restoration Grants Announced
Grants
The Main Street Program allows property owners an opportunity to apply for a Redevelopment Incentive Grant (a matching grant of up to $10,000) to help with downtown commercial building improvements. To qualify, the building must be located within the downtown Main Street or Historic District, buildings must be used for commercial purposes, and buildings must be at least 50 years old.
ORCED Loan Program
Through a revolving loan program, the City of Opelousas provides up to $20,000 in loan funding for multiple small business development projects.
Restoration Tax Abatement Program (http://www.crt.state.la.us/hp/tax_abatements.aspx)
Under normal circumstances, if an owner improves, renovates or adds on to a building, the assessed value goes up and so do the property taxes. Under the recently expanded Restoration Tax Abatement Program, the assessed value and the property assessment can be frozen at the pre-improvement level for five years, resulting in substantial tax savings.
State Commercial Tax Credit Program (25%)
Applies to income producing property that is a contributing element within a Downtown Development District or Cultural District.
Exterior & Interior Design Assistance
Louisiana Main Street technical services are provided at no charge to commercial business and property owners within the designated Main Street District. Professional services include exterior or interior design consultations with renderings when necessary RE building facades, signs and awnings, as well as interior design consultation for store layout, visual merchandising, and materials and finishes.
Redevelopment Incentive Grant
Awarded on an annual basis, the reimbursable grant requires that a matching amount be provided by the provided by the property owner or tenant, and the project is reviewed by the Louisiana Division of Historic Preservation to ensure conformance with the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation. The grant application is due to to the local Main Street Program office for Historic District Commission review. Upon approval, the application is submitted to the state office.
Federal/State Tax Incentives
The Louisiana Division of Historic Preservation administers the Federal Rehabilitation Tan Credit in conjunction with the National Park Service (NPS)(http://www.nps.gov/history/hps/tps/index.htm) and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and two state tax credits in conjunction with the Louisiana Department of Revenue (LDR). The purpose of tax credits is to encourage the preservation of historic buildings through incentives to support rehabilitation of historic and older buildings.
Federal/State Tax Credits and Incentives (http://www.crt.state.la.us/hp/tax_incentives_program.aspx)
Activities
To learn more about Opelousas Main Street, Inc. or to get a grant application, contact Melanie Lee-Lebouef, Tourism Director/Main Street Manager at 337-948-5227 or tourism@cityofopelousas.com
RESOURCES:
Louisiana Main Street
