COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – A downtown Coldwater business has gotten over $10,000 from a couple of grant programs that were used to help improve their operations.
Coldwater Main Street Director Audrey Tappenden told the Downtown Development Authority Board on Wednesday that Shemel’s Carpet & Interiors recently received a Match on Main grant of $9,000 and a facade improvement rebate of over $1,700.
Business owner Don Shemel said they were able to install new technology, improve the customer experience, and upgrade their façades.
According to a news release from the city, Shemel’s was one of the first participants in the Downtown Development Authority’s original façade improvement program.
The Building Improvement Program fund was designed to stimulate improvements to downtown buildings with a low interest loan pool offered in partnership with Southern Michigan Bank and Trust and Century Bank and Trust.
It has been replaced with the Façade Restoration Initiative grant program which is accepting applications through February 9.
The Match on Main reimbursement grant program serves as a tool to support new or expanding place-based businesses. The Shemel’s project was one of 35 around the state that were approved by the MEDC program.
Congrats to Don. However! We have many other businesses downtown and I question if they all were really made aware of such grants being available. I think not! Just small town politics!