The Town of Essex has announced a new initiative for those effected by the Essex Streetscape Project.
They've launched the Essex Streetscape Façade Improvement Grant Program, aimed at providing valuable assistance to property owners who are undertaking commercial or industrial building façade improvements within the streetscape area.
Officials say the grant program offers property owners the opportunity to revitalize and enhance the aesthetic appeal of their buildings with a non-repayable contribution.
Under the Essex Streetscape Façade Improvement Grant, eligible property owners can receive a 100 percent refurbishing grant amount of up to $2000 per building.
The funds are completely non-repayable and do not require a minimum contribution from the property owner.
Mayor Sherry Bondy says this financial assistance can be utilized for a wide range of improvements, including repairs and restoration, accessibility improvements, canopies and awnings, lighting, signage, and much more.
She says council decided to bring back their mini-grant for façade improvements in downtown Essex.
"We know that this might not work for every business, but right now there's construction so if they want to take the opportunity and capture this $2,000 non-repayable grant to make improvements to their business there's no better time than now."
Bondy says the possibilities of what to use the money for lies with the business owners if they apply and secure the funds.
"Anything on the front façade to make their business pop a little more, to attract more customers, or maybe an awning is breaking down so they want to have a new look," she continued. "Downtown Essex is going to have a new look, so we wanted to bring this grant program back to allow businesses to join in."
She says the application will be on the Town's website, and many of their businesses are already familiar with their Community Improvement Plan program.
"We've done it for about 10 years, but in order to fund the Streetscape, we had to take the big components of the CIP out. So this is just a little grant, $2,000, we only have $10,000 so the first five that apply will get the money," she stated.
Bondy says council can revisit the program at later date to see if it's worth extending to other businesses depending on the interest.
Interested property owners can review the grant guidelines and submit their applications online.
- with files from AM800's Rusty Thomson