Merced group will help business owners spruce up downtown buildings

Business owners in Merced’s downtown district can get a hand in refurbishing the outside of their buildings through a new program.

The Merced Main Street Association recently announced its facade grant program, which is available to any business or property owners who pay into the downtown tax.

Merced’s downtown is generally considered the area bounded by G and V streets, the Union Pacific railroad tracks and the alley north of 19th Street. The more than 500 businesses in that area pay double taxes on their business licenses, according to city records.

A business owner may participate in the program with a letter of consent from the property owner. The mission of the facade grant program is to encourage property owners to improve the appearance of downtown buildings, organizers said.

Funds are only available for exterior improvements, and may be applied to any side of the building as long as it faces a public street.

The grants will cover half of the total facade renovation costs, according to a news release. The maximum grant would be $3,000 and the minimum would be $250. The association would have to approve the work before it began, and the grant would be paid after the work is complete.

Organizers said the program has limited funds, and the association will process applications in the order they are received.

More information and an application for the program are available on the association’s website, mercedmainstreet.com, under the “Programs” tab.

For more, call the association 209-384-7093.

This story was originally published August 17, 2015 at 2:37 PM with the headline "Merced group will help business owners spruce up downtown buildings."