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Grants open for Morinville storefront spruce-ups

Matching grant covers projects up to $10,000

Does your storefront lack luster? Shabby signs getting stale?

Downtown businesses in Morinville have until April 30 to apply for a new storefront improvement grant and receive thousands of dollars in matching funds to give their business a face-lift.

The Restore the Coeur pilot program launched on Feb. 19 for businesses located along 100 Ave. to improve the downtown’s visual appearance, and hopefully encourage more sales, foot traffic, and new investment, said Danielle Woolnough, Morinville’s new economic development officer.

“The overall goal is really to help enhance and invest in our downtown core here,” Woolnough said.

The program will fund 50 per cent of eligible costs, to a maximum of $10,000 per business, to properties located within a highlighted area stretching down 100 Ave. from 100 St. to 107 St.

Eligible work includes the redesign of a storefront, upgrading windows and doors, installing exterior lights, awnings or canopies, and more.

Projects must be completed by Dec. 31, 2020, in order to be eligible. Those already in construction won’t qualify for the program. Applicants will be notified whether or not their project has been approved before May 15.

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No applications have been submitted yet, but Woolnough said she expects to see some come in soon after gauging interest at the launch last week.

At least six different businesses have said they would be interested in participating in the program so far, and if this year is successful, they would widen their scope to include a larger area.

“Hopefully that continues throughout the year, and we could see the project happening in future years as well.”

Deepthi Pelenage, owner of Bistro Di Madre Piccola, said he would like to participate in the program as he hopes it would attract more customers into his Italian restaurant.

"The inside of our restaurant is beautiful, but the outside ... some people think we're just another coffee shop," Pelenage said.

However, he said he's unsure if the business can afford it right now. 

"Business has been slower than last year, it's very slow," he said, noting the sidewalks in front of his store are usually empty. "But I want to be able to participate in it, and see what we can do."

Morinville is starting to grow outward, Woolnough said, and launching a program to improve the overall look and feel of the downtown can help with future growth. 

“Launching a program like this is showing that we do have skin in the game for downtown businesses, and we are supporting newer investment in other areas in the community.”

Interested businesses should first contact the program manager to make sure they’re eligible, and then complete and submit an application package for review. For guidelines, qualifications and application forms visit morinville.ca.  

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