JAMESTOWN, NY – August 27, 2026 – The City of Jamestown Department of Development is announcing the opening of the next application window for ROI Jamestown: Reinvestment for Opportunity & Impact, a competitive grant program supporting investment in Jamestown’s commercial properties and businesses.
Applications will be accepted Thursday, August 27, 2026, through Wednesday, September 30, 2026.
Formerly known as the Restore, Adapt, Develop Jamestown (RAD) Grant Program, the initiative has been rebranded as ROI Jamestown to better reflect the City’s focus on strategic reinvestment, economic opportunity and measurable community impact.
Made possible through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding, ROI Jamestown provides financial assistance to eligible commercial property owners and business tenants for improvements to their facilities and operations. The program is designed to encourage private investment, support small businesses and entrepreneurship, strengthen commercial properties, and sustain and create jobs within the city.
“ROI Jamestown represents an important investment in the businesses and commercial properties that make up our local economy,” said Aili Makuch, the City’s Economic Development Coordinator. “We want to help local business owners take the next step—whether that means improving or expanding their operations, investing in equipment, making their space more accessible, or sustaining existing employees. The new program name reflects what we hope these investments will achieve: a meaningful return on investment for individual businesses and for the community as a whole.”
Grants are generally awarded in amounts up to $50,000, with final award amounts based on available funding, the number of applications received, and eligible project costs. Priority consideration is given to projects located within the Downtown Central Business District, along primary City corridors, and in industrial buildings occupied by businesses that will retain or create jobs.
Eligible activities may include:
- Building renovations and improvements;
- Exterior improvements, lighting and signage;
- Roof, masonry, HVAC and mechanical improvements;
- Accessibility improvements;
- Interior commercial build-outs;
- Permanently installed fixtures and equipment;
- Eligible machinery purchases; and
- Certain development activities that promote job creation.
Applications will be evaluated based on several factors, including job creation and retention, return on investment, business impact and stability, community benefit, sustainability and resiliency, and the applicant’s investment in the overall project.
Complete applications and all required supporting documentation must be received by 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 30, 2026. Applications may be submitted electronically to the City’s Economic Development Coordinator or delivered to the Department of Development.
Program information and application materials are available on the City of Jamestown website at jamestownny.gov. Businesses and commercial property owners interested in learning more about ROI Jamestown, discussing a potential project, or determining project eligibility may contact Economic Development Coordinator Aili Makuch at (716) 338-0040 or makuch@jamestownny.gov.
