It's time to put your Best Facade Forward ...
Could the outside of your business use a little sprucing up? Maybe it’s time to replace your old sign, or outdated awning? Or maybe, you just want to add a few flower boxes to increase beautification of your storefront?
This year, Downtown Bellefonte Inc. is offering $1,000 towards a downtown business owner’s effort to make updates to the business’ facade.
Why facade matters:
Retail store owners and downtown businesses rely on their initial impression to entice people to make their way into the store. Basic elements such as signage, awnings, windows, and colors can all add up to more profits for a business. And, as businesses improve facades individually, our community as a whole is beautified.
About Downtown Bellefonte Inc.:
At the heart of Downtown Bellefonte Inc.’s overall mission is a drive to recruit and retain businesses within our downtown. Downtown Bellefonte Inc. is a designated Main Street program, in which the organization focuses its efforts on growth within the downtown district.
How to Enter:
Businesses that are interested in participating in the 2020 Facade Contest will need to provide the following to enter:
- A cover letter detailing the business’ history in downtown Bellefonte, and why the business should be chosen in the contest (minimum 200 words)
- A photo of the current storefront
- A description of facade improvements to be made with funding
- Total project cost projections
- Business contact information
- Optional: Inspiration photos for proposed updates
Because Bellefonte’s downtown is a historic district, the winner’s facade updates will need to be approved by the Historic Architectural Review Board.
Entry materials should be sent to Gina Thompson, Main Street Manager, at manager@downtownbellefonteinc.com, with the subject line “2020 Facade Contest Entry.”
Contest details:
- Deadline extended! Because of shutdown related to COVID-19, we are giving business owners the opportunity to apply for this grant through June 20, 2020.
- Entries will be reviewed by a panel of judges, made up of Downtown Bellefonte Inc. board members as well as community residents.
- Applicants will be issued funds by July 1, 2020, pending HARB approval
- Only Downtown Bellefonte businesses may apply.