Gloucester City: Local UEZ Program Overview

To date the Gloucester City Urban Enterprize Zone (UEZ) has generated approximately $1.2 million in sales tax revenues with only 51 UEZ certified businesses signed up.

We have invested almost $352,645, funding ten (10) projects, deemed to improve the economic climate of the Gloucester City commercial districts. Below is a synopsis of your UEZ dollars at work…

1. Marketing Campaign — $10,000 – to create and distribute promotional mailers (postcards and kits) to prospective business owners and developers

2. Community Cleanup Campaign — $2,500 – to hire a consultant on how to enhance Gloucester City’s image

3. Entryway Enhancement – $2,345 — to erect a welcoming entryway with signage and landscaping along the Rte. 42 ramp onto Market Street.

4. Promotions & Advertising Campaign — $54,000 – for advertisements and events to promote Gloucester City as a great place to live, work, and shop.

5. Business Recruitment & Retention Consultants — $109,000 – to hire the JGSC Group to develop a plan for downtown revitalization and to assist with business recruitment and retention.

6. Matching Façade Grant (Pilot Program) — $40,000 – a pilot program offering $10,000 in matching façade grants to four (4) Gloucester City UEZ businesses

7. Signage Grant — $30,000 – to provide up to $1,000 in sign grants to 30 UEZ businesses for the repair or replacement of their business sign.

8. Design Guidelines — $40,000 – to hire a consultant to create façade, signage, and streetscaping design guidelines to assist with the rehabilitation of the commercial and historic districts.

9. Crime Prevention Patrols — $24,800 – to pay overtime costs to utilize police foot patrols, bicycle patrols, plain clothes officers in unmarked units, and the K-9 unit to patrol and maintain visability in the business districts.

10. Retail Business Incubator — $40,000 – to offer rent subsidies to businesses offering targeted retail goods and services in order to stimulate business recruitment efforts.