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Council discusses expanding façade grants and adding low‑interest options for small businesses
Summary
Council members reviewed the existing façade grant program (about $5,000 awards), noted low recent application numbers, and discussed expanding eligibility beyond the current Main Street/front‑facade focus and adding loan options to support more businesses.
Council members reported that this year's façade program drew three applications and two awards and discussed how to broaden impact. A council member said the program typically offered about "$5,000 per facade" and staff noted one recent application was turned down because the improvement would increase building value but was not on 4th Street, which the current program prioritized. Members suggested expanding eligibility to include non‑frontal improvements and adding low‑interest loan options so businesses could access funds for items such as furnaces or roof repairs.
Steve and other council members said the city could combine grants and loan mechanisms and work with the planning commission and DRDC to refine guidelines. Several council members emphasized the need to keep the program transparent and extend outreach to businesses beyond the core Main Street area so improvements across the downtown corridor are coordinated.
