To the Editor,
I am writing in response to your article published January 21, 2026, regarding the City of Belleview’s Beautify Belleview Grant Program. We appreciate the coverage of the program and the opportunity to provide additional context and clarification for your readers.
The Beautify Belleview Grant Program was approved by the City Commission and launched in March 2025 as an economic development and redevelopment tool. The program is funded through a combination of Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) funds and the City’s business tax revenue, both of which are designated specifically for economic development purposes.
Since the Beautify Belleview Grant Program was launched in March 2025, four applications have been received and approved to date. Two projects have been completed, and two have been approved but are not yet completed. As a newer initiative, the program is still gaining visibility, and we anticipate broader participation as awareness continues to grow.
The program is open to all eligible businesses within Belleview’s city limits and includes clear eligibility and scoring criteria. Applicants must be located within the city, be current on all taxes, free of code violations, and business owners must reside within 50 miles of Belleview to promote local ownership. Applications are scored based on established criteria that prioritize projects contributing to revitalization efforts, including improvements within the Community Redevelopment Area, restoration of original façades, repurposing of vacant buildings, and enhancements that support safety, accessibility, and long-term economic vitality.
To ensure fairness and provide multiple opportunities for participation, applications are reviewed and scored on a quarterly basis. Projects are evaluated each quarter, and funding is awarded based on the highest-scoring applications received during that review period.
The City has actively promoted the Beautify Belleview Grant Program through multiple channels, including partnerships with the Belleview Chamber and Economic Partnership (CEP), the City’s website, social media platforms, and outreach at community events. The City can only evaluate and fund projects that are formally submitted through the application process.
While building renovations, façade improvements, murals, and redevelopment projects are emphasized within the program, parking lot and site improvements are also eligible when they contribute to safety, accessibility, and functionality. These improvements, though generally lower-scoring than larger redevelopment projects, reflect the scope of the applications received thus far.
Participation in the program is based on eligibility and scoring criteria, not national brand affiliation. In some cases, businesses operating under nationally recognized names are locally owned and operated, and the properties involved are owned and maintained by local business owners. Grant funds are awarded based on program qualifications and are not provided directly to national corporations.
The City welcomes feedback on the Beautify Belleview Grant Program and encourages all eligible businesses within Belleview’s city limits to consider applying. Our goal is to support reinvestment that strengthens Belleview’s commercial areas and benefits the broader community.
We appreciate the opportunity to provide additional clarification and look forward to continued collaboration with our local business community.
Respectfully,
Mariah Moody
City Administrator
City of Belleview
