The city of Columbus received 11 applications and supporting materials for grants for façade improvements for the downtown revitalization.
The grant will pay for $160,000 of the total $362,000 of projects requested leaving over $100,000 remaining in the grant. When the grant application was filed with the Nebraska Department of Economic Development we contemplated that there might be two phases in the application process. The projects submitted to date are exciting and the improvements proposed will significantly benefit not only the affected properties but all of downtown.
Any business owner in the downtown area bounded by 22nd Avenue on the east, 15th Street on the north, 30th Avenue on the west and 10th Street on the south who was considering making improvements to the property - it is not too late - is encouraged to submit an application before September 21, 2012, for this second phase of the process. Fifty percent of eligible façade improvements, up to $30,000, may qualify for a grant.
Applications can be obtained at City Hall. Questions can be directed to Joe Mangiamelli at 402-562-4233.