Ohio’s Medina Grant funds are being used by local company and building owners to assist pay for facade upgrades in the downtown area.
According to Manfred Heck, associate director of Main Street Medina, we presently have 14 projects approved and two more waiting.
Ohio’s One-Time Strategic Community Investment Funds awarded Main Street Medina a $150,000 grant, according to Heck. A portion of the program’s funding is allocated as low-interest loans, and another amount is utilized as matching grants.
“We intend to use the loans as a revolving loan by lending the money back out for additional projects in the future as they are paid back,” Heck stated. In the future, we also want to apply for additional funding to support matching grants.
According to Heck, in January and February, building and business owners in the 12-block area of the city’s South Town and historic districts submitted matching grant applications. Wood restoration, new signage, new doors and entryways, brick renovations, and many other projects are among the many facade improvement projects that many people have started thus far.
Building owners will get up to $5,000 in reimbursement under the program, which covers up to 50% of the cost of the facade improvement project.
According to Heck, if a building owner has a project that costs $10,000, we will reimburse them $5,000; nevertheless, if the project is $17,000, the reimbursement amount is still only $5,000.
Heck stated that the grant’s conditions require that these projects be finished by June 2026.
However, he continued, “I believe that the majority of building owners are making the most of the favorable weather and starting their projects right now.”
