Springhill Main Street opens façade grants, previews Nov. 30 Christmas events downtown

Amy Padian, Main Street manager for Springhill, told the council that the next quarterly municipal façade grant opens Friday and remains available through Jan. 15; she said six businesses have already taken part and around $112,000 in downtown improvements are underway.

Padian urged property and business owners to apply for exterior improvement funds (signage, planters, paint and façade repairs) to help attract new businesses and support downtown economic activity. She credited city workers and volunteers for installing holiday lighting and described Food Truck Friday and other activations as successful draws.

Padian previewed the city’s largest annual downtown event, Christmas on Main, set for Nov. 30. She said organizers tracked about 4,500 people downtown last year using geotracking and that participating businesses reported record sales. The day will include a vendor market, a hot-cocoa crawl, a Christmas parade that will end at the clock tower for a tree-lighting ceremony, and an evening program called Christmas in the Park with family activities and food trucks.

Padian thanked city staff, volunteers and partner organizations including the Spring Hill North Webster Chamber of Commerce and encouraged participation in the storefront decorating contest and other community activities. She said the mayor will lead the tree-lighting ceremony and that the event is free to the public.

The Main Street manager asked council members and residents to support façade improvements and reminded business owners that applications will be accepted through Jan. 15.