The Wabasha Port Authority recently wrapped up a one-year grant program, totaling $18,883 in grants to 5 small businesses, mainly in downtown Wabasha to improve the facades of their buildings, including new paint, new windows, safety improvements to the exterior.
Jeremy Binner, of Lakeshore Agency, was able to significantly improve the front of his building.
“ The grant got the process of improving my building going, it was on my to-do list, but with the grant, it was smart to use it, and get it done,” said Binner.
The grant required a 50% match and helped create an overall investment of $55,000 in building improvements for the City.
Terri Roemer, owns Old Town Mercantile, explained how keeping up with repairs is important for historical buildings but can be difficult to do.
“It is important to maintain buildings, especially historic ones, to keep them from deteriorating. There is a point of no return on these old buildings. The longer you wait to fix them, the more expensive it becomes. These buildings are an important part of a town’s legacy,” said Roemer.
After Picture Old Town Mercantile Pembroke
Before Picture Lakeshore Agency Main Street
After Picture Lakeshore Agency
Hill’s Hardware is another business in downtown with a historic legacy but built in 1874, also needs constant investment. George Hill was able to use the grant for an exterior staircase on his building that was falling apart and felt that it was a huge help to support small businesses in town.
“The original staircase was made of cast iron and is as old as the building. It was literally falling apart and became a hazard, needing to be replaced. The cost of taking down and installing a new staircase was a financial burden. Using the Facade Improvement Grant Program eased that burden and gave the business the ability to move forward while upgrading a much-needed improvement,” said George Hill, Hill’s Hardware Hank.
George and Chris Hill, Hill's Hardware
The President of the Wabasha Port Authority, John Friedmeyer, credits the work of the Port’s economic development specialists for the program.
“Our Economic Development Specialists- Cathy Enerson and Dusty Liston- both suggested this façade grant program for Wabasha, as they had seen this program be a success in other communities. It certainly helped here in Wabasha. The program had a lot of interest and made a noticeable difference for the buildings affected,” said Friedmeyer.
The Port was not able to fund all the applications it received due to funding. While the grant program is closed because all funds have been expended, the Wabasha Port Authority hopes to offer the program in the future, as funds become available. Other grant recipients were Johnson and Scofield, who made their front entry handicap accessible, Fresh Wok who made improvements to the rear of their building. The grants were made available by the Port, through Tax Increment Financing District 1-8.
