The Lawrenceburg Redevelopment Commission on Jan. 12 approved funding to refill its Main Street grant program for 2026 and to provide targeted incentives for newly constructed homes downtown.

Executive Director Bridal Messmer told commissioners the request was principally to restore the grant pool to full funding for the year. "This is merely refunding the grant program back to its 100% level for the following year," Messmer said. She recommended a $157,200 allocation to cover the program’s existing categories, including owner-occupied residential, non-owner-occupied residential, and commercial façade and signage grants, plus new- and existing-business action grants.

Messmer also proposed adding $70,000 to fund two new-home purchase grants. Each of those incentives is structured around a $35,000 grant cap; Messmer said the commission’s 10% contribution would be applied on that basis. Messmer identified two addresses tied to the proposal, 556 West High and 533 West High, and said two additional homes are expected during 2026 that the commission may support.

Gail, who manages Main Street programs, reported that most awards from last year have been paid and that the program has been refilled; she said seven owner-occupied residential grants are available at the start of the year. "We have plenty available right now," Gail said, noting applications and instructions are posted on the city website and that the program focuses on exterior improvements.

Commissioners discussed timing and project readiness for the homes named in Messmer’s motion and heard that one of the two houses was well under construction. After a motion and second, the commission voted to approve the $157,200 Main Street funding request and the additional $70,000 for the new-home purchase grants (voice vote recorded as "Aye").

What’s next: Staff will administer applications under the existing Main Street program guidelines and apply the additional $70,000 toward the two new-home purchase grants described by staff. The commission did not specify a further deadline beyond the 2026 program year.

Votes at a glance: The funding motion was moved and seconded during the Jan. 12 meeting and approved by voice vote; vote tallies by member name were not specified in the transcript.