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PR: Grantees Announced for Downtown Waterville’s Façade and Building Improvement Grant Program

April 13, 2020


WATERVILLE, ME, 4/14/2020 – Central Maine Growth Council (CMGC) is proud to announce the successful grantees of its Façade and Building Improvement Grant Program (FBIGP) in downtown Waterville.

FBIGP was established in 2019 within the context of downtown Waterville’s ongoing revitalization, activated by over $100 million in recent investment by private and public sector supporters. The grant program encourages new and existing downtown property owners and businesses to invest in their commercial storefronts while restoring the original character of historic buildings and providing a catalyst for others to improve the visual appearance of their privately-owned buildings. In its inaugural year, the program funded nine façade improvement projects, sparking over $290,000 of new investment in downtown Waterville.

“We were fortunate to offer a second funding cycle for downtown business and property owners, and we are thrilled with the quality of the applications we received, particularly within the context of COVID-19,” states Garvan D. Donegan, director of planning and economic development at Central Maine Growth Council and FBIGP advisory committee member. “Despite the unprecedented hardships faced by Main Street businesses and property owners, they maintain an admirable commitment to investing in downtown Waterville. Their facade projects create a strong foundation from which we can rebuild a thriving economy.”

The grant awards made through FBIGP will stimulate more than $1.8 million in direct investment in downtown storefronts and facades during the 2020 calendar year. 13 applications were submitted, and 10 were successful.

Successful grantees of the 2020 FBIGP award include:

● 205 Main Street – Day’s Travel Bureau
● 189 Main Street – Arnold Block, LLC
● 179-177 Main Street – Sidney H. Geller Trust
● 139 Main Street – OPA
● 72 Main Street – Holy Cannoli
● 59 Main Street – MGH Realty Co. LLC
● 36 Main Street – Paragon Shop
● 18 Silver Street – 18 Below
● 5-3 Silver Street – Sidney H. Geller Trust
● 6 Water Street – North River Company

The grant program, funded by Colby College and the Bill and Joan Alfond Foundation, provides a reimbursement of up to fifty (50) percent of the total estimated project budget. Funds may be used for the restoration and renovation of commercial buildings located within Waterville’s downtown district, and eligible projects range from new awnings and signage to brick repointing and the removal of inappropriate, non-historical alterations to building exteriors.

“Block by block, property by property, downtown Waterville is transforming into a vibrant, thriving place. Each of these applicants is contributing to a powerful, collective visual and economic impact that is critically important to Waterville’s revitalization,” says Joy McKenna, member of the FBIGP advisory committee. “We are very grateful for the opportunity to assist our local business and property owners in their façade renovation efforts.”

All interested parties may learn more about FBIGP by visiting www.centralmaine.org/facade.

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Last modified: July 6, 2020

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