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West Chester Trustees move to pursue second round of Spark Grant for small-business exterior improvements
Summary
After a 2023 pilot that funded 18 exterior-improvement projects, township staff recommended refinements and trustees directed staff to prepare an appropriation and updated scoring matrix to bring a second round to the board for approval.
Community Development Director Katie Cantalopoulos summarized the township’s 2023 Spark Grant pilot and asked trustees whether West Chester Township should launch a second round in 2025.
The pilot offered reimbursable grants of up to $10,000 for locally owned small businesses to make exterior improvements such as paint, signage, awnings, lighting, hardscape and outdoor seating. Cantalopoulos told the board the township funded 18 projects with $100,000 in township investment and that the projects leveraged more than $300,000 in total improvements.
“The grant was up to $10,000,” Cantalopoulos said. “It focused only on exterior property improvements. ... This was a reimbursable grant.”
Economic Development Manager Michelle Kohn told trustees she hears strong interest from business owners during ongoing business-retention visits. “The unpredictable business environment…
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