GRANTS PASS – Downtown Merchants can still take advantage of a city matching grant program designed to provide assistance with adding lighting to their storefronts. The Light the Storefronts Downtown Program provides qualifying applicants with up to $1,000 in matching funds to install additional illumination to the fronts of their business locations.
“The City of Grants Pass has a vibrant downtown, and the local merchants and small business entrepreneurs are working hard to improve the downtown shopping experience,” said Susan Seereiter, business advocate for the city’s Economic Development Department. “One of the things that makes for a vibrant downtown is lighting,” she said.
At least five downtown locations have already received grant funding to complete storefront lighting projects, including Glass Forge, Sandi’s Candy, and Rogue Emporium. The program still has more than $17,000 available. Grant applications are reviewed on a first come basis.
Eligible locations include the downtown area bounded by “C” Street to the North and “M” Street to the South, between 4th and 8th Streets. Eligible projects include soft lighting that spills out into the sidewalk and street to improve ambiance, a color temperature range between 2000 K and 3200 K, white LED lighting that shines on window merchandise, and/or lighting inside and around storefront windows.
“Illuminating the storefronts to show off merchandise at night while the city is still bustling with local diners, creates an atmosphere for window-shopping,” said Seereiter. “Storefront lighting in place when a business is closed also gives locals and tourists alike an added sense of safety,” she said.
Ineligible projects include flashing lights, strobe lighting, neon, or colored lights. Conditions for approval include compliance with historic guidelines and period appropriateness. Approved projects will be awarded grant funding as reimbursement upon the completion of the project.
Applicants must submit a completed application and required project information. Seereiter provides notice of award to successful applications. The project must be completed within one month of the approval date, and the reimbursement funds are provided to the applicant upon completion of the project and submission of financial information.
“Encouraging downtown merchants to improve the aesthetics of their storefronts will be beneficial to citizens in addition to attracting tourism,” said Seereiter.
For additional information, call Seereiter at: (541)450-6014.
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