Selah Downtown Association Announces Recipients of Grant Funding for Business Facade Improvements

Selah, WA, April 11, 2017 -- Selah Downtown Association (SDA) announced on Tuesday the award of grant funding for two projects to improve building facades in downtown Selah. The funding was awarded after consideration of applications submitted by local building and business owners for funding through SDA's inaugural Business Facade Improvement Grant Program. A total amount of $10,000 was available through the program, which requires the selected applicants to match awarded funding.

"Launching the Facade Improvement Grant was a big deal for us as an organization," said Whitney Stohr, Executive Director of SDA. "This is really the first time that we've had the funding and capacity to play this role, to help fund major projects, and to have that impact on our community." 

The one-month application period for the grant program opened on February 21. SDA encouraged local building and business owners to submit applications for funding for "facade improvement" projects in the area that the organization has described as Selah's "First Street Corridor," or "historic downtown." The area extends from Southern Avenue, north along 1st Street, to Bartlett Avenue, west to 3rd Street, and east to Railroad Avenue.

The type of "facade improvement" projects eligible for funding through the grant program included the rehabilitation, restoration or maintenance of buildings, such as exterior design improvements, the installation of awnings, painting, and lighting and signage improvements. SDA also specified that preferred consideration would be given to projects to restore historic buildings in the downtown. The projects additionally must be visible from the street or public right-of-way.

"As a Main Street Program, we're in contact with other organizations across the state, and we're able to learn from each other," said Stohr. "For this program, we didn't have to look too far for a successful example."

The Downtown Association of Yakima was successful a couple years ago with its "Facade Improvement Grant Program" and improvements to the Thai House restaurant on 2nd Street in downtown Yakima, explained Stohr. "They did a fantastic job [in Yakima], and the idea for the grant program was something we felt we could replicate in some way in Selah."

"It would be an understatement to say we're excited about this program, and the projects selected for funding in this grant cycle have a lot of potential," she said. "Moreover, from an organizational standpoint, the fact that we have the ability this year to help strengthen these local businesses is really energizing for those of us involved."

Project #1: Selah Lighting Company on 1st Street

Project #2: Sundance Espresso at its new location