Local businesses receive funds for façade improvements

The program is brand new in Worthington this year, with RG Music being the first to receive funding last January. Since then, five more companies have received grants to update their look, including the Trends Salon, which is currently under renovation. The business was founded in 1999 and although it has been renovated inside, this will be the first exterior renovation.

“The whole exterior is being redone,” said owner Kris Bosma. “New brick, new sidings … everything is new.”

Trends Salon received $ 10,000, the maximum amount available under the scholarship program. As part of the facade improvement program, the city will offset the project costs one-on-one for businesses in the downtown area and one-on-two costs of up to $ 5,000 for businesses in other parts of the city.

“It’s designed to help our older commercial buildings revitalize and thrive,” said City Administrator Steve Robinson.

“Basically, every shop in the city center, each of these storefronts in the core area of ​​the city center, can be considered for a facade improvement.”

Business owners wishing to perform facade improvements to commercial buildings in the Eligible Zone District can apply, including restaurants, bars, entertainment breweries, souvenir shops, boutiques and cafes. Bibles for Missions, REMAX, Mick’s Repair, and Family Dental have all been approved as part of the city’s outdoor projects program, along with the RG Music and Trends Salon. The grant funds can be used for any number of exterior improvements such as painting, remodeling, or restoration. After completion of the project, the grant recipients will be reimbursed the amount granted.

“We took it out of the city’s revolving loan fund with the intention of replenishing it when the funds are used,” said Robinson. “We currently have $ 41,000 in grants. About half of this work has been completed and the scholarship holders have been paid. “

Robinson also stated that the application process was designed to be lean and “user-friendly”. Applicants must complete the documentation, provide a written description of the project showing the scope and intent of the improvement, and two qualified contractor offers prior to submission. All applications are then reviewed by a Worthington EDA subcommittee before approval can be granted.

“This program was designed to be easy and fast, unlike many of our other programs, which have major limitations … a longer review process and a more intense application process,” said Robinson. “This was really designed that way, how can we do something simple and get money into the hands of our property owners?”

Application approval can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months as the city is committed to helping businesses modernize their outdoor facilities and maintain the integrity of downtown Worthington.

“We believe that one of the keys to a healthy city is a vibrant and thriving inner city,” Robinson said it was when I was a little kid. “