(a) There is established an account to be known as the “Main Street Investment Fund account” which shall be a separate, nonlapsing account within the General Fund. The account shall contain any moneys required by law to be deposited in the account. Moneys in the account shall be expended by the Department of Housing for the purposes of providing grants not to exceed five hundred thousand dollars to municipalities with populations of not more than thirty thousand or municipalities eligible for the small town economic assistance program pursuant to § 4-66g for eligible projects as defined in subsection (d) of this section. Municipalities shall apply for such grants in a manner to be determined by the Commissioner of Housing. Said commissioner may contract with a nonprofit entity to administer the provisions of this section.

(b) In awarding such grants, the commissioner shall determine that an eligible project advances the municipality’s approved plan pursuant to subdivision (2) of subsection (d) of this section. Such advancements may include, but need not be limited to, facade or awning improvements; sidewalk improvements or construction; street lighting; building renovations, including mixed use of residential and commercial; landscaping and development of recreational areas and greenspace; bicycle paths; and other improvements or renovations deemed by the commissioner to contribute to the economic success of the municipality.

(c) A grant received pursuant to this section shall be used for improvements to property owned by the municipality, except the municipality may use a portion of the proceeds of such grant to provide a one-time reimbursement to owners of commercial private property for eligible expenditures that directly support and enhance an eligible project. The maximum allowable reimbursement for such eligible expenditures to any such owner shall be fifty thousand dollars, to be provided at the following rates: (1) Expenditures equal to or less than fifty thousand dollars shall be reimbursed at a rate of fifty per cent, and (2) any additional expenditures greater than fifty thousand dollars but less than or equal to one hundred fifty thousand dollars shall be reimbursed at a rate of twenty-five per cent.

(d) For the purposes of this section:

(1) “Eligible expenditures” include expenses for cosmetic and structural exterior building improvements, signage, lighting and landscaping that is visible from the street, including, but not limited to, exterior painting or surface treatment, decorative awnings, window and door replacements or modifications, storefront enhancements, irrigation, streetscape, outdoor patios and decks, exterior wall lighting, decorative post lighting and architectural features, but do not include (A) any renovations that are solely the result of ordinary repair and maintenance, (B) improvements that are required to remedy a health, housing or safety code violation, or (C) nonpermanent structures, furnishings, movable equipment or other nonpermanent amenities. Eligible expenditures also include reasonable administrative expenses incurred by a nonprofit entity contracted with by the Department of Housing to implement the provisions of this section.

(2) “Eligible projects” means projects that are part of a plan previously approved by the governing body of the municipality to develop or improve town commercial centers to attract small businesses, promote commercial viability, and improve aesthetics and pedestrian access.