$200,000 in grants set for residential TIF I owners

Homeowners in Marion's first residential tax-increment financing district can now seek up to $5,000 in grant funding for property improvements, following recent action by the Marion City Council.

Cody Moake, mayor's chief of staff, said $200,000 was available from TIF funds. Since Residential TIF I was created two years ago, the city has been setting aside 50 percent of the revenues for the grant program, he said.

The residential redevelopment program would pay 75 percent of the project costs, up to $5,000, and focus on the outside appearance of homes. Examples include cutting down dangerous trees, construction of wheelchair ramps, new porches, roofing and window repair.

Along with the one-page application form, homeowners need to provide before and after photos of their projects, as well as receipts.

Absher noted that the program has a caveat - all building materials must be purchased from Marion-based retailers.

Absher said he hoped the residential TIF grant program would continue for the 20-year life of the TIF area, and, once the funds come online, echoed those hopes for Residential TIF II, enacted on the city's southwest side last year.

The measure was approved 5-0 by Mayor Michael Absher and commissioners John M. Barwick Jr., Doug Patton, Jim Webb and John Stoecklin.