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Mebane awards $17,651.83 in downtown exterior improvement grants
Summary
The council awarded $17,651.83 in matching facade grants to three downtown applicants — Big Oak Restoration, Gourmet Grove and Go Girl Shop — under a program that reimburses 50% of qualifying exterior improvements up to $10,000 per applicant.
The Mebane City Council voted March 3 to award $17,651.83 in downtown exterior improvement grants to three applicants, continuing a matching program the city funded with $50,000 in the current fiscal year.
Staff reminded council the program reimburses 50% of qualifying exterior improvements up to $10,000, requires at least two contractor quotes and, if a tenant applies, documented property‑owner approval. The three applications presented were: Big Oak Restoration (117 West Clay) requesting the maximum $10,000 match for major brick and roof repairs; Gourmet Grove (126 West Clay) requesting about $6,700 for door and window replacement and possibly an awning; and Go Girl Shop (200 North 3rd Street) requesting a matching award to replace three awnings.
Will Atherton, a downtown business owner who earlier thanked council for the program, told members the grants “allow us to put more funding inside the stores and also allow different products to be available,” calling the program a “huge benefit.”
Council member (speaker 10) moved to award $17,651.83 to the applicants as described in the applications; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. Staff said they have had inquiries about interior grants previously but that state statutes may limit interior grant eligibility; city staff and the city attorney will research whether an interior‑improvement option could be implemented within legal constraints and report back.
The program remains open for additional applications until the budgeted funds are exhausted.
