The Economic Development Fund (EDF) provides a source of financial support to small businesses through grant programs. The intent is to meet some of their needs in targeted ways. The Historic Miramar Signage Grant Program can eliminate a cost burden while helping to revitalize older commercial centers. The small business grant program for micro sized (5 or fewer employees) and home-based businesses focuses on increasing their capacity to generate more business and grow their bottom line.

The Miramar Business Academy grant program is for aspiring business owners to develop their ideas into viable businesses.

Funding for these programs is through the city’s annual budgeting process but is subject to change at any time at the City’s discretion.

SMALL BUSINESS GRANT PROGRAM

Maximum Grant Amount: $25,000

Click Here To Apply

Download Notarization Form

This program provides financial assistance to small businesses for capacity building. The intent is to support increased business activity (sales, revenues).

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

• The business is in a commercial space or is a home-based business that is moving into a commercial space.

• The business has a maximum of 5 employees (full- and/or part time, including the owner).

• The business is for-profit.

• The business has been operating for at least 2 years.

•    For home-based businesses moving to a commercial space, the lease is for more than 1 year and for businesses in commercial space, there is at least 1 year remaining on the lease (from date of application)

• The business is not part of a national or regional chain or franchise.

USES OF FUNDS

• Purchase of machinery/equipment.

• Professional services (examples: legal; accounting; marketing).

• Technology infrastructure and upgrades.

• A security deposit to lease commercial space (existing home-based businesses only).

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Business Plan. The business owner (applicant) must meet with a business counselor to discuss how the proposed use(s) of the grant funds advance their business plan.

If there is no existing plan, the applicant is required to

develop one with the counselor’s assistance. This will be coordinated with one of the city’s small business assistance resource partners (examples: SCORE; Small Business Development Center at FAU).

• The applicant must comply with the city’s procurement policies for securing the product and/or service vendor. This includes providing vendors registered with the city’s Business Inclusion and Diversity (BID) program with opportunities to participate.
• The grant funds are paid directly to the vendor/company providing the product, service, and/or space.
• A business owner who receives assistance from the program must wait 2 years to apply for additional assistance.
• A maximum of 2 rounds of funding per business owner is permitted.
• Applications are approved administratively by the City Manager or designee.

Historic Miramar SMALL BUSINESS SIGNAGE PROGRAM

Maximum Grant Amount: $10,000

Click Here To Apply

Download Notarization Form

This program provides financial assistance to small businesses for signage. The intent is to offset a cost that can be burdensome for the business owners while providing their business with valuable visibility.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

•    The business is in a retail center located in Historic Miramar

(University Drive, Pembroke Road, State Road 7, and County Line Road).

•    The business has a maximum of 5 employees (full and/or part time, including the owner).

•    The business is for-profit and offers retail sales and/or personal services.

•    The business is new to the location.

•    The business is not part of a national or regional chain or franchise.

•    The lease is for more than 1 year.

USES OF FUNDS

• Replacement of existing building signage for a new tenant.
• New building signage for a new tenant.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• A copy of the executed lease.
• New signage must be consistent/compatible in appearance with other signage.
• The grant funds are paid directly to the sign vendor and include city permit fee(s).
• The applicant must comply with the city’s procurement policies for securing the sign vendor.

This includes providing vendors registered with the city’s Business Inclusion and Diversity (BID) program opportunities to participate.

• Applications are approved administratively by the City Manager or designee.

VACANT STOREFRONT COVER PROGRAM

PRE-APPROVED STOREFRONT COVER DESIGNS

Online Application: APPLY HERE   Click to DOWNLOAD

PROGRAM OVERVIEW & PURPOSE

The purpose of the Vacant Storefront Cover Program (“the Program”) is to improve the appearance of vacant street-level commercial buildings located throughout the City of Miramar and to support the development of retail uses within the City. This initiative allows property owners to cover their vacant storefronts with pre-approved artistic designs already approved by the City. The Program works to beautify vacant storefront windows and doors to promote available or underutilized tenant spaces. Through this voluntary, no-cost Program, pre-approved designs can be temporarily displayed in storefront windows to help revitalize empty spaces.

BENEFITS

• Improve property’s appearance and curb appeal
• Deter vandalism, graffiti, and illegal dumping
• Attract prospective tenants and increase property value
• Activate the street and encourage placemaking and public safety
• Maintain community integrity and promote accessibility

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

This Program applies to commercial tenant spaces with storefront windows located on the ground level that are visible and accessible from the public right-of-way.

APPLICATION AND INSTALLATION PROCESS

1. Property owner or authorized representative submits completed application form, storefront address and waiver to City.
2. City submits request to pre-approved installation vendor.
3. Installation vendor contacts property owner/authorized representative to schedule a visit to the property to take measurements.
4. Installation vendor produces mock-up/rendering of storefront cover design.
5. Property owner and City approve rendering (proof).
6. Installation vendor coordinates with property owner to install the storefront cover.
7. Installation vendor submits invoice to City.
8. City approves the invoice from the installation vendor and processes payment.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. Can the property owner use their own design for a storefront cover?

Yes, but not through the Program. Property owners may use their own designs.

1. Is a property owner participating in the Program required to receive Design Review Board approval and a permit?

No. The Program uses pre-approved designs that have already been approved by the City of Miramar.

1. Can more than one City of Miramar pre-approved design be selected for a single property/space?

Yes. Contingent on the size of the property/space.

1. Is payment required to participate in the Program?

No. All expenses are paid by the City of Miramar while funding is available. Unless additional funding is identified, this Program will be available until funds have been exhausted.

1. How often may a property owner participate in the Program?

Property owners may participate in the Program as long as the property/ space is vacant. 

1. Does the City have a pre-approved installation vendor/contractor?

Yes. The City of Miramar utilizes a pre-approved vendor/contractor to install storefront covers as part of the Program.

1. Does the Program apply to vacant storefronts above the ground floor?

No. The Program only applies to street-level vacant storefronts on the ground floor.

1. How long does the process take?

Although installation time may vary depending on the size of the storefront, covers are typically installed within 7 days after the City has approved an invoice from the pre-approved installation vendor.

1. Will the City remove the covers when a tenant moves in?

No. After installation by the City of Miramar, the property owner is responsible for removal of the storefront cover at the sole expense of the property owner.

1. If the City no longer has funding for the program or the property owner prefers to use a different installation vendor, can the City’s pre-approved designs be used?

Yes. City of Miramar pre-approved designs may be requested by a property owner for use as a storefront cover design only. Once the City’s funds are exhausted or if the property owner prefers another installation vendor, the pre-approved designs will be available by request. The City can provide a high-resolution file of the storefront cover design to the property owner who can then

contract directly with another installation vendor (or the City’s installation vendor). It is recommended that the installation be done by a professional to ensure proper alignment and compliance with the City’s Code.

  
PRE-APPROVED STOREFRONT COVER DESIGNS

This Form and Waiver are required from all vacant storefront property owners who wish to participate in the City of Miramar Vacant Storefront Cover Program. Please fill in all the information instructions below. Incomplete application forms may delay the approval process.

Online Application: APPLY HERE   Click to DOWNLOAD

THE CITY OFFERS FIVE (5) PRE-APPROVED STOREFRONT COVER DESIGNS:

1. STOREFRONT ADDRESS:  
2. DATE OF INITIAL VACANCY:  
3. PROPERTY OWNER or AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE INFORMATION:

Name:                                                                                                                                                                Email:                                                                                 Phone Number:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

1. REAL ESTATE BROKER INFORMATION:

Name:                                                                                                                                                                Email:                                                                                 Phone Number:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

1. Complete the Waiver & Release on the following page.
2. Submit the following to EDH@Miramarfl.gov:
   1. Application Form,
   2. Waiver; and
3. Save a copy of your completed Application Form and Waiver for your records!

WAIVER AND RELEASE

 Click to DOWNLOAD

VACANT STOREFRONT COVER PROGRAM INSTALLATION

Property Address:                                                                                                             Owner/Authorized Representative:                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

This Waiver and Release are executed by and on behalf of the individual signing below, hereinafter referred to as “Participant.” The Participant is the owner and/or authorized representative of the property located in the City of Miramar (“City”) at the address indicated above. The Participant is duly authorized to execute this document on behalf of the Property and its legal owner, as applicable.

The Participant hereby grants permission to the City, and its respective successors, assigns, members, officers, employees, agents, and contractors (all herein collectively referred to as “Releasees”), to enter upon the Property for the purpose of installing artistic window coverings and other activities related to vacant storefront covers.

Participant, on behalf of himself or herself, his or her personal representative, heirs, next-of-kin, successors, and assigns (all hereinafter collectively referred to as “Participant”), hereby knowingly and voluntarily agrees to hold harmless the Releasees from any and all known and unknown claims, actions, demands, or damages, including, but not limited to, accidents, injury, death, or damages to person or property, including claims based on negligence, that may arise or result from the installation of the storefront covers.

Participant further acknowledges that by agreeing to the installation, Participant consents to Releasees, in their sole discretion, to make and publish photographs and recordings of the Property as pertains to the Property’s vacant storefront covers, and all such media shall be the sole property of the City.

This Release contains the entire agreement between the parties hereto and the terms of this Release are contractual and not a mere recital.

PARTICIPANT FURTHER AFFIRMS THAT HE/SHE HAS CAREFULLY READ THIS AGREEMENT AND UNDERSTANDS ITS CONTENTS AND MEANING AND EXECUTES THIS RELEASE AS HIS/ HER OWN FREE AND VOLUNTARY ACT.

Signature:                                                                                              Date:                                                                                            

Miramar-Pembroke Pines Regional Chamber of Commerce Membership Incentive

• Confirming Zoning districts and business uses 
• Reviewing and answering questions relating to signs 
• Providing city maps on Zoning, Land Use and Residential Care Facility Locations. 
• Issuing permits on Portable Storage Containers (PODs), tree removal, painting, repainting of buildings, Alcohol or beverage certification and temporary permits on special events and signage. 
• Before signing a lease, please contact a city planner to make sure that the location is zoned for the business you wish to operate. In addition, business owners are required to complete a Zoning Certificate of Use application, which is available at the Planning & Zoning office or by downloading a form