Town board earmarks $3,750

Siler City offering facade grants for downtown properties improvements

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The Siler City Development Organization (SCDO) is offering a facade grant program for downtown properties with funding from the Siler City Board of Commissioners.

The Siler City Board of Commissioners approved $3,750 during this fiscal year budget for the program. SCDO is the administrator of the grant and will select grantees, according to Jack Meadows, Siler City planning director and member of the SCDO Board.

The grant is available for property owners in a designated area of downtown which runs roughly from Birch Avenue to Third Avenue and from Third Street to Chestnut Street.
Property owners may apply for the grant in order to improve the front, side, or rear facade of the building as long as it is seen from a street.

“The purpose of the grant is to make visual improvements to downtown Siler City,” Meadows said.

Potential improvements include replacing doors or windows, replacing or adding awnings, painting the facade, re-pointing bricks, and landscaping.

The grant is a 50/50 matching grant which means that the property owner would need to invest an equal amount to receive the grant. In addition, all work must be completed within four months of the grant approval.

Each grant application needs to include a detailed written explanation and description of the project. The application should also include the total cost, a projected completion date of the project, design plans or drawings, and paint samples.

Applicants should also send color photographs of the proposed project and two detailed, itemized quotes of the project costs.

The grant application period runs through January 31; however, Meadows notes that SCDO does meet monthly and will likely review applications as they are submitted.
As funding is limited, property owners are urged to apply as soon as possible to ensure their application gets consideration.

For more information, contact Jack Meadows at 919-742-2323.

Siler City, grant, downtown