Our Mayor and Board of Aldermen expressed a need for a Neighborhood Beautification Grant (NBG) program, where neighborhood and homeowners’ associations are able to apply for matching grant monies for projects within their neighborhood to enhance public spaces. Within the 2022 Annual Budget, $25,000 was approved for the Neighborhood Beautification Grant Program.
Each HOA is eligible for up to $25,000 over a three-year period. If the first project applied for requires the full $25,000 and is granted, the HOA will then be ineligible for the following two years.
Projects must be improvements that benefit the entire neighborhood, located within the city limits of Smithville and achievable within 12 months of award. Project applications submitted must be approved by a vote of the neighborhood or homeowners’ association board.
Examples of eligible projects may include:
• Landscaping/trees
• Signage
• Community gardens
• Neighborhood clean-ups
• Curb Appeal Enhancements for Existing property (parking areas, trash receptacles, enclosures, fencing, etc.)
Examples of ineligible projects include:
• Ongoing operating budgets
• Routine city maintenance (street paving, mowing rights-of-way, etc.)
• Projects that benefit an individual more than the entire neighborhood.
Current recommendations to utilize these funds for:
• New Pond Fountain
• Playground upgrades
• Rock center aisle
• West circle park entrance renovation
• Pathway improvements
• Front monument renovation
That said, we want to hear from you. What items do you think we should focus on? Where do you see we could make improvements to our neighborhood?
Take a moment and share your thoughts in the feedback section below. All submissions should be provided in no later than February 14th, 2022.