Governor Haslam, Commissioner Boyd Announce Commercial Façade Improvement Grants
Grants to assist communities with downtown improvements
NASHVILLE — Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam and Economic and Community Development Commissioner Randy Boyd recently approved $585,000 in Commercial Façade Improvement Grants to assist Tennessee communities with downtown improvements.
Commercial Façade Improvement Grants are derived from Tennessee’s federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds and are used to improve commercial buildings in downtown districts that have active revitalization programs in place through the Tennessee Main Street and Tennessee Downtowns programs. Grants can be used for improvements including new awnings and signs, painting, building repair and other upgrades.
“Renovations like these can help communities thrive and, in turn, attract future economic development opportunities and promote continued growth – important steps to help us reach our goal of making Tennessee the No. 1 location in the Southeast for high quality jobs,” Haslam said. “I congratulate the six communities selected this round and encourage all of our Tennessee communities to work toward enhancing their downtown districts.”
“Through the CDBG Commercial Façade Improvement program, we assist communities in making their downtown commercial districts ready for new investment,” Boyd said. “In two previous rounds, we have assisted in repairing historic brick storefronts, windows, doors, awnings, signage and other repairs that complement all the other activities these communities are engaged in to encourage a thriving downtown.”
The 2015 Commercial Façade grantees are:
- Brownsville - $85,000
- Fayetteville - $100,000
- Greeneville - $100,000
- Lawrenceburg - $100,000
- McKenzie - $100,000
- Union City - $100,000
All six of the grantees are accredited Tennessee Main Street programs and are required to provide a 25 percent match for the funds and administer the façade improvement programs.
Each application was supported by the community’s senator and representatives in the Tennessee General Assembly.
TNECD will accept applications for the 2016 CDBG Commercial Façade Improvement Grant program in May.
About the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development
The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development’s mission is to develop strategies which help make Tennessee the No. 1 location in the Southeast for high quality jobs. To grow and strengthen Team Tennessee, the department seeks to attract new corporate investment in Tennessee and works with Tennessee companies to facilitate expansion and economic growth. Tennessee is the only three-time winner of “State of the Year” for economic development by Business Facilities magazine. Find us on the web: tnecd.com. Follow us on Twitter: @tnecd. Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/tnecd.
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