Carol Johnson, Southern Indiana Business Report
LOOGOOTEE – After a successful first year, a program to help commercial property owners make improvements and repairs to facades is back for 2026.
The Martin County Alliance for Economic Growth is accepting applications now through Feb. 27. Eligible properties must be located within the city and town limits of Crane, Loogootee or Shoals.
Twelve businesses completed projects in 2025, the grant program’s first year. Jessica Potts, Martin County Alliance executive director, said building improvements totaled nearly $82,000.
“Projects completed last year were smaller projects, like replacing awnings, installing new doors and windows, and signage,” Potts said. “One of our biggest projects was Main Street Apartments in Shoals.”
Billy Walker, the owner and a local Realtor, repainted the building. Potts said that building’s transformation signaled to the community what the façade program was all about.
Potts spoke to Southern Indiana Business Report about this next round of façade grants and a few changes to the program in 2026.
Did you make any changes to the 2026 program?
We changed the eligibility from being offered to buildings in our downtowns only, to commercial buildings in the Town or City limits of the Town of Crane, City of Loogootee, and Town of Shoals. The Redevelopment Commission gave us $40,000 last year to carry out this program. They were satisfied with last year’s responses and projects and have given us $50,000 this year for the façade program. It’s still a 1:1 match with a maximum match being $4,000.
What are your goals for the façade program?
Our goal of the façade program is to encourage visible improvements to the exteriors of our commercial buildings. We hope that this program encourages rapid, tangible enhancements that will improve the aesthetics of these downtown areas, creating a more appealing environment and boosting the local community spirit and economic vitality.
Overall, are you pleased so far with how the program has been received and changes owners have been able to make?
We were very pleased with the outcome of the 2025 façade program. Some businesses put in windows that were boarded up before. Several purchased signage, because they didn’t have signage before. There was some retucking of brick and mortar, which is important when it comes to keeping our older buildings around.
Any reactions or feedback from some of the 2025 recipients and how the grants allowed them to invest in their properties?
We had several business/building owners thank us for the opportunity. They said it really encouraged them to move the façade updates that are needed to the front burner when they knew there was some matching funds.
Grant details
The funds are a 1:1 match. The maximum grant is $4,000. Property owners have six months to complete the work. To receive an application, email Jessica at [email protected].
Eligible improvements include:
- Cornices
- Signage
- Entrance doors
- Decorative details or awnings
- Masonry repair
- Decorative details or awnings
- Painting or cleaning for paint preparation
- Restoration of original exterior architectural features
- Window repair or replacement (when part of a larger facade improvement)
