Breckenridge Texan

By Carla McKeown/Breckenridge Texan

More local businesses will have an opportunity to apply for façade grants to help improve their storefronts, after the Breckenridge Economic Development Corporation voted last week to extend the program that was launched last year by the Breckenridge Downtown Development Council.

The BEDC members in attendance last Tuesday agreed to extend the application process, allow businesses throughout the city to apply, and to add $25,000 to the funds available for the grants. That gives the BEDC $50,000 to distribute through the end of the organization’s fiscal year.

The grants are available to pay up to $5,000 in matching grants (50 percent of the costs) to qualifying businesses for approved upgrades to the exterior of a business’ building. The grant funds may be used for signage, cladding (exterior surfaces), windows, doors, awnings, lighting, trim, decorative details, painting, and structural improvements.

The original grant program was limited to businesses in downtown Breckenridge, but the BEDC has decided to expand the area to include all businesses within the city limits. Visit the BDDC’s Facebook page to see some of the downtown businesses that have taken part in the façade grant program. For more information, contact the BEDC at 254-559-6228.

During Tuesday’s meeting, the BEDC also approved the following:

• Participation with a City/County interlocal agreement for demolition of substandard structures.
• Renovations of the former Beall’s building to replace the windows.
• An application for a façade grant to paint the front of the building at 105 W. Walker St.
• An application by Barbara Reyna for financial assistance in building a new residence in the area behind Tractor Supply. The funds are part of the BEDC’s housing development incentive program.
• An application by David Stowe to pay 50 percent, up to $5,000, for the demolition of the building at 117 S. Breckenridge Ave. The space will be turned into parking spaces for the Blackhorse Cafe and other area businesses, BEDC Executive Director David Miller said.
• The contribution by the BEDC of $5,000 for the annual July 4 fireworks show at Hubbard Creek Lake, sponsored by Stowe’s Independent Services.
• A $500 grant to the Breckenridge Chamber of Commerce to provide “shop local” incentives during the Chamber’s recent Spring Fling shopping event. The funds were used to provide “Chamber Bucks” prizes that winners of a drawing can use to shop at Chamber of Commerce businesses.
• An extension of the contract with Johnny Trigg to provide downtown street, sidewalk and other maintenance.

Cutline, top photo: Breckenridge Economic Development Corp. Executive Director David Miller, center, talks to board members at their meeting on Tuesday. Also pictured are board president Lee Olson, left, and member Mike Griffith, right. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)