News Blog

The Florida Redevelopment Association has announced its inaugural Redevelopment Week. From September 14-18, 2026, Community Redevelopment Agencies (CRA) across the state will be highlighting the projects, partnerships, and people transforming Florida communities into hometowns everyone can be proud of! The City of Pompano Beach’s CRA is thrilled to be participating in this new initiative as there is much to celebrate in our Districts.

Our CRA districts (East and West) continue to be revitalized through a variety of programs.   Throughout the past few years, there have been numerous small local businesses that have benefitted from the support of our CRA. Two programs that help rejuvenate local restaurants, retailers, and services are the Façade & Business Site Improvement Program and the Strategic Investment Program (SIP).

The Façade & Business Site Improvement Program is wonderful resource that helps business and property owners in our CRA Districts give their storefronts a fresh, inviting new look. The program helps defray the costs of exterior improvements — think new windows, doors, signage, and paint — for existing commercial buildings, turning tired old buildings into welcoming destinations that draw customers in and lift up the entire block.

Then there's the Strategic Investment Program (SIP), which works its magic on the inside. This program supports site, building, and tenant improvements for existing commercial buildings with restaurant or retail uses — funding the interior buildouts, kitchens, electrical, plumbing, and structural upgrades that help a promising business grow into its full potential.

Businesses who apply for these programs must pay all costs upfront for the approved renovations and pass all inspections before the CRA provides a check for the grant. Two examples of businesses that applied for and received this type of support include The Vault and 26 Degrees Brewery and Kitchen.
26 Degrees has been a staple of the community since it opened in 2015, known for its award-winning craft been and vibrant atmosphere, however, a few years back, the brewery’s owner had a plan to expand his business.

Yonathan Ghersi, owner of 26 Degrees Brewing Company, applied for and received funding from the CRA to support his vision.  To better serve their loyal customers, 26 Degrees added a kitchen, transforming the venue into a gastropub with a patio. The estimated cost of this project was approximately $614,000, with the CRA providing approximately $101,000 in reimbursement.

In addition, the popular hangout received an exterior makeover with upgraded signage, with the CRA supporting that renovation with a $20,000 reimbursement.

With the CRA’s partnership, 26 Degrees was able to expand its core business and create a welcoming exterior, which elevated the entire retail plaza. A win-win for the community.

These grants also support new business ventures. The Vault, which is now a hot-spot gathering place in Old Town, received CRA support when the owner was planning her establishment.

Jessica Spillman's vision for The Vault impressed the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA), who supported the project. A $40,000 Façade and Business Site Improvement grant funded exterior enhancements, including windows, doors, and the construction of the outdoor deck, pergola, and biergarten counter. An additional $97,000 from the Strategic Investment Program supported critical infrastructure upgrades such as electrical, plumbing, and HVAC systems. Thanks to the CRA, Spillman received the additional support required to transform the historic old bank building into a thriving restaurant and bar.
 
"We're extremely proud of these CRA programs, which foster strong partnerships and drive economic development in our city,” said Nguyen Tran, CRA Director.

Another powerful tool CRA’s utilize to encourage major revitalization is Tax Increment Financing (TIF). TIF uses future growth in tax revenue to fund today's improvements — without ever raising taxes. As property values rise within the redevelopment area, a portion of that increase is reinvested directly back into the community, creating a self-sustaining cycle where success fuels even more success.

One brilliant example is Old Town Square, the $63 million, ten-story mixed-use development in our historic Old Town district. The 282-apartment project, developed by Cavache Properties, received a $7.8 million tax financing incentive — but the developer only gets reimbursed after the project is built and is generating tax dollars, and---it is paid out over roughly 20 years.

"In the long run, it doesn't cost the CRA any money. It's the developer's money going back into the project,” continued Tran. “TIF attracts big investment with no new burden on the taxpayers.”

 Without TIF, finding investors who will take a chance on an area that is undergoing revitalization can be very difficult. But with TIF, investors feel a sense of support. And in the example of Old Town Square, the success of this project led to the developer to build a second phase of the project, which did not receive any CRA support as it resides a block out of the zone. A testament to the growing reputation of our City as a smart investment and a place where people want to call home!

Stay tuned to our Pompano Beach CRA Facebook page during Redevelopment Week for more local business stories and learn more about the CRA at https://www.pompanobeachfl.gov/government/cra.