For the second year in a row the City of Williams Lake will receive a government grant to improve business facades in the city.
The Northern Development Initiative Trust approved the city for a $20,000 grant provided by a local Business Facade Improvement Program.
The program’s goal is to improve the physical appearance and/or functionality of commercial buildings in the city’s downtown and highway commercial corridor to better business viability and public service.
“The City of Williams Lake is very appreciative to the Northern Trust for continuing to be a significant partner in enabling economic development programs in our community,” Mayor Kerry Cook said in announcing the grant Monday.
“The Business Façade Improvement Program is a great example of a practical investment that will benefit our commercial sector and the community at large by enhancing the appeal and visibility of local storefronts.”
By facilitating improvements to business facades, business areas can become more appealing to consumers, thereby increasing the marketability of commercial spaces and assisting business viability and retention.
Existing buildings in the Downtown and Highway Corridor Development Permit Areas of the City of Williams Lake are eligible for the program.
Building owners or business owners with written authorization of the property owner can apply to the city for a 50 per cent reimbursement grant up to a maximum of $5,000 for approved façade improvement projects.
Applications, guidelines and examples of eligible improvements such as decorative and architectural details, signage, accessibility and entranceway improvements, are now available on the city’s website under the Business Tab at http://www.williamslake.ca/index.asp?p=3353.