A program aimed at helping township business owners improve their buildings is off to a slow start, the township’s economic development committee was told at its Nov. 21 meeting.
Business economic manager Dale Small anticipates the program could take two to three years to build up. The program was launched earlier this year, something Small believes is the reason for few responses to it.
“The experience in other municipalities in doing this program it takes two to three years,” Small told the committee. “That’s why we made it a 10-year program.”
Known as the Community Improvement Program, it offers building owners an opportunity to receive grants and zero interest loans for exterior building upgrades.
Under the façade improvement portion, businesses can received a grant of up to $2,500 or 50 per cent of construction costs. It also can provide loans of up to $2,500 interested free and payable over five years for similar work.
“We’ve had a lot of interest, but we haven’t had a lot of applications for this 50% funding,” Small added. “The businesses have to put in their own money, so it isn’t something you can apply for and get the money.”
The township recently awarded a $2,500 grant under the public art grant portion of the program to the Arthur mural committee to help offset the cost of a new mural painted on the north side of Sussman’s. The mural encompasses wartime images celebrating Arthur’s “Canada’s Most Patriotic Village” motto.
For more information and application forms business owners can check out the township website or get in touch with Small at dsmall@wellington.north.com.
