Main Street discusses coming year

    Main Street Washington held its annual retreat Monday to discuss its goals for the upcoming fiscal year. Amy Vetter, the director of Main Street Washington, said that the group talked about the different grants that are available to businesses in the area that would like to improve their image.

    Vetter said that the grant from the Riverboat Foundation is one of the main grants in the area. She said that Main Street is looking for a grant of $50,000 from the Riverboat, which it will split into two grants of $25,000. She said there is also a grant for $15,000 for a business that wants to remodel its façade.

    Speaking of renovating storefronts, Main Street Washington secured a HUD Challenge grant just last month for Bodywrx to redo its storefront. That grant was for $20,500 and will allow Bodywrx to remove the metal siding that covers the top of the building to expose the original brick surface.

    Vetter remarked that there are four standing committees that review project applications. She said Main Street Washington has received over 34 project proposals, and the committees will take a close look at each and every one.

    ?These committees will meet once a month to discuss the projects,? said Vetter. ?Our goal is to have a plan in place before our investment drive in June.?

For the full article, see our Feb. 19 print edition.