Several businesses in downtown Kilgore may get a face lift after the city's Main Street Design Committee divvied up funds for its Facade Improvement Grant program.
Four businesses were OK'd Monday for grants.
This year's program budget is $38,000, Kilgore Main Street Manager Fallon Burns said. More than $20,000 has been allocated so far.
In 2008, the committee focused on Kilgore Street storefronts, Burns said. This year, they will target Main Street businesses.
"We have a lot of good businesses that serve the community on Main Street," Burns said. "It's going to make a huge difference."
Applicants are eligible to receive reimbursement for up to 50 percent of the cost of repairs to their storefront, up to $10,000.
It was the first time for Martha Fertitta, owner of Main Street Flowers and Gifts, 212 E. Main St., to participate in the program. Feritta received a $1,200 check from the design committee — half the cost of repainting her storefront.
"We're going to repaint everything. It's going to be tan, black and red," Fertitta said. "I think it'll stand out more and be seen a lot better."
Revitalizing downtown
The program uses attractive design to draw new businesses and tourists to the area. Burns said that when the city started the program three years ago, one of residents' chief concerns was the appearance of downtown.
"When the buildings look better, it attracts stronger businesses to downtown," Burns said. "It's also good for our sustainability."
Applicants can apply for the grant each fiscal year. Kilgore's fiscal year runs from Oct. 1 to Sept. 30. Funds for the program are collected from tax revenue from hotels and motels.
The city started accepting applications in September, Burns said. Applicants are required to answer 10 questions and are judged on a 10-point criteria scale, including whether the project rehabilitates a historical building and the overall impact on the public. The committee will accept applications until all of the money has been granted.
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Grant recipients
Main Street Flowers and Gifts: $1,200
Larry Long: $3,125
WJS Investments: $8,294
T.J. Jones: $7,774
