RUMFORD – A grant that would beautify businesses on Waldo and Congress streets is about to be submitted to the federal Community Development Block Grant program.
A public hearing on the submission for the $150,000 grant was held just prior to the Board of Selectmen’s regular meeting Thursday night.
The only comment from the public was from local landlord Ernie Robichaud, who asked if the grant money could be used for housing.
Town Manager Steve Eldridge said that although this particular grant was not for housing purposes, he hopes to apply for a grant that would cover such necessities in the future.
The grant must be submitted by Feb. 10. The town will learn whether it is successful sometime in the spring.
This grant is part of the Community Enterprise Grant program for business development.
If the money comes, Eldridge said it would be used to improve the facades of businesses on Congress and Waldo streets. Each business could receive a grant of up to $25,000, providing they spend the same amount for such things as painting, windows, brickwork and anything else on the exterior of the businesses’ building. Eldridge said a part of the grant may also be used to upgrade sidewalks.
The town of Mexico received a similar grant several years ago for upgrading its businesses’ storefronts.
Eldridge said several businesses have already expressed interest in taking part in the program, and a few have submitted ideas for how they would use the money.
“This is part one of my three-year strategy for downtown revitalization,” he said.
He plans to apply for a $400,000 grant next year that, if successful, would be used for such things as further sidewalk work and replacement lampposts. The third phase will likely be geared toward improving transportation.
The Downtown Revitalization Committee will meet Feb. 6 to continue discussions on how to upgrade the downtown area.
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