Setting the stage for some visual improvements that business owners and customers alike will find quite agreeable are two very useful and practical initiatives that are administered by the Fair Lawn Economic Development Corporation (FLEDC).
 

The first, the River Road Sign and Awning Grant Program, offered only within the River Road Special Improvement District, and the second, the Business Zone Sign and Awning Grant Program, offered within the borough's general business zones. Both grants enable business owners to replace old, faded, and in some cases damaged or unsightly signs and awnings with new ones. Participants in the program also receive free assistance in designing their improvements.
 

The River Road Sign and Awning Grant Program offers members of the RRIC Special Improvement District (SID), matching grants on a 1:1 basis of up to $1,000 to single businesses or property owners. Up to $5,000 has been budgeted in 2008 to be awarded on a first come, first served basis. This program began in 2002.
 

The Business Zone Sign and Awning Replacement Program, being offered throughout the Borough, is available to businesses and commercial properties in designated business zones and the River Road SID. The program provides a 3:1 matching grant of up to $4,000 per property.* Current funding of $50,000 is provided by the County of Bergen to the FLEDC through an application prepared in cooperation with the Borough of Fair Lawn. This program first became available in 2006.
 

All applicants must comply with borough ordinances and provide designs in keeping with River Road's own Design Manual. The Business Zone grants, as stipulated by Bergen County require, within two years of receiving the grant, recipients to employ at least one individual who meets county guidelines for low and moderate income.
 

To apply for either grant, applicants must provide to the RRIC administrator a written outline of the proposed work (i.e. contractor or vendor estimates) describing in detail the work to be carried out. A rendering of the proposed sign or awning replacement, indicating positioning, colors and materials to be used, must be provided, in addition to projected costs. The grant will be issued upon completion of the work and receipt of canceled checks for contractor/vendor bills.
 

Working closely with commercial owners and borough representatives, the Fair Lawn Joint Design Review Committee will verify that all replacements and improvements meet the intent of the Fair Lawn Master Plan and other applicable regulations.

Interested River Road businesses and property owners should contact the  FLEDC Administrator at (201) 797-3442 for a grant application and additional information.