Downtown Progress

We are making progress in Downtown. Yesterday was the opening day for the downtown grant process. Kirk Lowell made a presentation at the Commission meeting lastnight (3-1-06) and reported 6 applications were received and another four were in process.

The grant funding comes from a $50,000 allocation from the City which will be matched by a $50,000 low interest loan from Citizens National Bank and owner funds. The funds are divided 45% Grant funds, 45% Loan funds and 10% owner funds. If the property owner didn't want to secure a loan, their share is 55%. In each application, the City's maximum grant ($5,000) and bank loan ($5,000) will be $10,000. Any project where the total cost goes above the grant and loan limits will be covered by the owner.

The theater is progressing as well. The brick is going up on both the theater building and the adjacent Dumbbell's building.

With the progress on the theater and the improvements to our downtown buildings, we will see a vast imporvement to our downtown. It will be a place to be proud of again.