By Miles Flynn
Southern Indiana Business Report
JASPER — A partnership that helped pay for façade work on five downtown Jasper buildings this year has now secured funding to continue the effort with more buildings in 2022. The city government has put up another $50,000 for the project, which will once again be administered by Heart of Jasper, the community’s Main Street program. “Heart of Jasper would love to see it year after year,” Kate Schwenk, the organization’s executive director, told Southern Indiana Business Report.
Grants of up to $10,000 will be awarded on a 50/50 matching basis for approved improvements in the downtown and riverfront areas. The minimum project plan must be in excess of $5,000. Grants will be awarded on a reimbursement basis following the application process, design review, approval, and construction. Disbursement is contingent upon submission of cost invoices from contractors and tradesmen and inspection work by the Heart of Jasper Design Advisory Committee.
Heart of Jasper is now accepting applications for this new round, and the deadline to apply is Feb. 25, 2022. Winners will be announced on March 4, 2022. Guidelines and criteria to apply can be found at Jasper City Hall or the Jasper Chamber of Commerce. Information is also available by visiting www.heartofjasper.org or by contacting Schwenk at [email protected].
Schwenk noted work is now complete on three 2021 projects and is winding down on the two remaining buildings. They are Young Rental and Realty LLC, 248 East Third St., home of ACE Construction, Seven Seas Pet Store, and Downtown Running and Fitness; Nohr Building, 413 Main St., home of Gary’s Barber Shop; Danny Brescher Housing LLC, 1112 Newton St., home of TRP Transmission; Kundek LLC, 209 East Sixth St., home of Copper Fox, Illusions Spa, and Verkamp Law Office; and MH Properties LLC, 706-708 ½ Main St., home of Primerica Financial Services, Electric Graffiti Tattoo Studio, Milligan Communications, Yourstory Photography, and Stephanie Wallace Photography.
Schwenk reported the first round was a complete success. In addition to making a direct impact on those five buildings, she said, the effort also seems to have helped inspire other business owners downtown to undertake improvements on their properties.