SALISBURY — The Historic Preservation Incentive Grants program, which provides economic assistance to home or business owners, is taking applications.

Owner-occupied homes or businesses in Salisbury can receive money for exterior maintenance and stabilization projects in the locally designated residential historic districts of North Main Street, Brooklyn South Square, West Square and Ellis Graded School.

The deadline for applications is 5 p.m. Sept. 27.

Projects will be rated based on four categories, which include historical significance, project type, project types and income criteria.

For historical significance, contributing structures will receive 10 points, noncontributing structures get five points, changes resulting in a contributing structure that was previously a non-contributing structure receive five points and intrusion gets no points.

For project type, replacement or stabilization of deteriorated features, like original or historically accurate siding, windows, doors and masonry, will get 40 points. Removal or replacement of nonoriginal, inappropriate features or materials and restoring with original details and materials, such as removing vinyl siding to restore original wood treatments, will score 30 points. Painting and repair work will receive 20 points, and other maintenance will receive 10 points.

For project costs, one point is given per $1,000 total cost to a maximum of $25,000.

Income criteria will look at the median family income and give more points to households with a lower incomes. In order for the city to determine if the applicant qualifies, he must submit income documentation such as a tax return.

If there are limited funds and two applicants score the same point total, the grant committee will award the grant to theh project that was submitted first.

The Historic Preservation Grant Committee consists of two members from the Historic Preservation Commission and two members from the Community Appearance Commission.

If there is a change of design or materials on the owner-occupied home or business, it must be approved by the Historical Preservation Commission

Projects can begin on Sept. 27 and must be completed and inspected by June 1 to received the reimbursement.

Grant recipients may also have the city pay the contractor directly after the work is finished. A contract must be signed by the property owner, the contractor and the city.

Owners can apply online. They can mail in an application or fill out an application at the Development Services oOffice at 132 N. Main St.

Anyone with questions or who needs additional information should contact Catherine Garner, the city’s preservation planner, at 704-638-5212.