The next round of Barton County Facade Improvement Grant applications was approved by the County Commission Tuesday morning, and commissioners noted the program’s growing popularity.
The program has $400,325.62 in available funding out of the $600,000 set aside. The commissioners reviewed the multiple applications to determine award amounts up to 75% of eligible project costs, with a maximum award of $20,000.
Awards will be given based on the project’s size and visual impact. The program prioritizes retailers and restaurants and project applications that commit more than the minimum required 25% match amount, Grant Coordinator Sue Cooper said.
She and property owners provided details.
Although all requested it, not all of these grants were approved for the $20,000 max.
Approved were applications for:
• Boots Wine Bar, coming to 2022 Forest. Owners are looking at over $100,000 for the project that includes doors, windows and an awning. They requested and received $20,000.
“This project is really exciting because it makes six within a single block,” said District 5 Commissioner Jennifer Schartz. And, these are all in or adjacent to Great Bend Economic Development Inc.’s Great Bend Alive Plaza.
This is why the qualifying zones for the grants were defined the way they were, Cooper said. “You wanted to create a visual impact in an area of the community and so really saturating these efforts so that when you go to the downtown area, you can see these renovations take place.”
• Hammond Inc. for properties at 1205 and 1213 Main.
At 1205, the costs are estimated at $51,000 and the grant was for $20,000.
At 1213, the costs are estimated at $70,000 with the grant being for $20,000.
“There are a lot of conversations going on right now about partnerships in the downtown area and just working strategically to make it more impactful,” Cooper said.
“The visual impact of cleaning up those businesses will be amazing,” said District 3 Commissioner Shawn Hutchinson.
• JJJM Investments at 1318 Kansas, Mizumi Sushi & Steak.
The total project costs are $31,473.69 and the amount they requested is $20,000. Improvements will include back-lit signage, a new door and other improvements.
• Kirmer Electric, 214 Main in Claflin.
They are looking to replace some windows and a door on their building for total project cost $7,750.40. They asked for and received $5,812.80.
• Musgrove Petroleum, 212 Main in Claflin.
The current project costs are $9,358.38 the amount sought and granted was $7,018.78.
The goal of the program is to provide financial assistance to businesses and property owners for downtown building front improvements to increase economic prosperity, accessibility, and quality of life in Claflin, Ellinwood, Great Bend and Hoisington, county officials said.
As of now, Cooper said, grants have been approved for all the communities.
The county has determined communities’ retail centers are areas of “priority funding,” and maps of these defined downtown districts.
The plan was approved by the commission Aug. 9. The first four grants were OKed at the Sept. 7 meeting.
Commissioners originally allocated $300,000 for it on Aug. 9. But, due to the popularity, they kicked in an additional $300,000 on Sept. 21.
