The Town of Minto will provide a $5,916 grant for structural improvements at the Old Post Centre for Business and Creativity here.
Business and economic manager Belinda Wick-Graham reported at the Dec. 5 council meeting that the Structural Grant Program, initiated in 2015, “has been a significant driver of change to some of the buildings in our downtowns and a major incentive for people to purchase and invest in these properties.”
She told council that for every dollar the town spends through the program $3.14 is spent by building owners.
The Old Post, formerly the Harriston Post Office, has undergone significant restoration since purchased by Harriston residents Michael and Sue Hendrick.
The building now houses Perth-Wellington MP John Nater’s constituency office, Hair Therapy, Pink Me Up, Triton Engineering and Worth Communications.
The third floor is in the final stages of construction and will be home to The Old Post Escape Room, which Wick-Graham stated, “will draw both residents and tourists into this unique and beautiful space.”
The grant approved by council at the meeting will go toward improvements to windows, electrical, HVAC duct work, reinforcement of main roof beam, third floor furnace duct work, reconstruction of the parking lot and reinforcing the driveway to control water flow and shore up the original driveway foundation.
In her report, Wick-Graham noted the Hendricks have applied for various incentives since taking over the building, including the structural grant in 2015, 2016 and now in 2017, façade grants in 2015 and 2016 and a signage grant in 2016.
A total of $69,553 has been awarded since 2015 to The Old Post, generating direct spending by the owner of $2.19 for every dollar of grant money.
“However the total value of renovations to this building far exceed that, not to mention the number of businesses and jobs that have been created,” Wick-Graham noted.
