Chamber hoping local businesses use façade grants

     There's money to be given away and officials with the Greater Franklin County Chamber of Commerce hope local businesses will take advantage of it to make downtown look a little bit better.

     The Façade Grant Program, conducted through the chamber's Design Committee, is intended to provide matching funds up to $1,000 for local businesses to improve, renovate, and in general beautify their business fronts.

     "We want to make local business owners aware that if they're looking for a spark to get their storefronts going and improve their businesses," said Eric Christianson, head of the design committee. "These grants can help. It's to improve our image as a community and draw businesses in."

     The program is in its third year under the supervision of the chamber's design committee. Prior to that, Christianson said, a similar type of program was conducted through Main Street Iowa.

Read the full article in the Aug. 28 edition of the Hampton Chronicle.