The City of Soldotna is still accepting applications for the Storefront Improvement Program within city limits until Friday, February 7.
The program provides grant funds for local businesses looking to ‘revamp’ the exterior of their storefronts or businesses. Approved projects will receive reimbursement of up to 50% of eligible costs, up to a maximum amount of $7,500.
Eligible improvements include:
– rehabilitated storefronts;
– signs and graphics;
– windows;
– exterior lighting;
– canopies and awnings;
– painting and masonry work;
– permanent landscaping; and
– accessibility improvement.
Those interested must submit an application form with a brief project description. A selection committee with the City of Soldotna will review applications on a first-come basis, and select projects for funding that meet program goals and objectives.
According to Soldotna City Manager Stephanie Queen, the program was created to put more energy and vitality into the city’s commercial downtown by assting private business owners to spruce up the outside of their existing business, a strategy she feels fits well alongside the investments they have been putting into parks and programmings.
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and the City typically funds 2-3 projects per year. To date, the program has awarded approximately $84,065 in grant funds to projects and has leveraged more than $376,290 of private investment in downtown.
For more information, including a gallery of completed storefront projects, the full program guidelines, and an application visit: www.Soldotna.org/Storefront