Travelers along U.S. 40 in western Wayne County should soon see eight spruced-up commercial buildings.
Six buildings in Cambridge City and one each in Dublin and East Germantown have been selected for grants from a $1 million downtown revitalization pool. The money comes from Wayne County government’s American Rescue Plan Act funds for the Hoosier Enduring Legacy Program.
An additional $1 million in City of Richmond HELP funds will also be available for commercial projects in downtown Richmond and the Depot District.
Steve Higinbotham, the county’s director of facilities and development, presented the list of 14 grant recipients from the county’s HELP funds to Wayne County commissioners. Commissioners unanimously approved the recipient list, which also includes four buildings in Richmond and one each in Economy and Spring Grove.
The program is limited to commercial buildings, although applications received additional points for including residential structures on upper floors. Higinbotham told commissioners that most project proposals involved windows, exterior work and roofs. Property owners must contribute at least 25% of their project costs, with grants capping at $100,000.
Each municipality was able to define its downtown area. Richmond chose to include the downtown area and the Depot District, although the county only considered applications for Richmond’s downtown area.
The total value of Cambridge City projects is over $1 million, of which $415,813.75 comes from grants. The following projects are being funded:
- 12 W. Main St., Matthias and Kline Building, $100,000 for a $637,500 project.
- 27 W. Main St., No. 9 Grill, $53,710 for a $104,000 project.
- 105 W. Main St., $100,000 for a $143,929 project.
- 118 W. Main St., Roses and Rainbows, $22,575 for a $30,100 project.
- 119-121-125 W. Main St., Bldg. 125, $39,528.75 for a $52,705 project.
- 131 W. Main St., High Hats Antique Mall, $100,000 for a $136,139 project.
In Dublin, 2022 E. Cumberland St., the U-Haul location, will receive $9,407.82 for a $12,543.76 project.
In East Germantown, 420 Main St. (Sit Sleep Save) will receive $52,388.25 for a $69,851 project.
In economy, 222 Second St., home of H&H Design & Tool Inc., will receive $41,340.74 for a $55,120.98 project.
In Spring Grove, Smile Time Kids dental practice at 1002 Oak Drive will receive $81,049.50 for a $108,066 project.
The four Richmond projects selected for funding through the county contribution total $1,113,528.19, with $400,000 coming from grants. The following projects will each receive $100,000 in funding:
- 716-718 E. Main St., Downtown Deli & Catering Co., for a $161,258 project.
- 831 E. Main St., Sanders Jewelry, for a $342,872.19 project.
- 915 E. Main St., Ply Fiber Arts, for a $169,398 project.
- 931 E. Main St. for a $440,000 project.
Builders are contacted to ensure they wish to proceed with their projects. If not, money is available for the next project on the waiting list. Each project was evaluated and ranked based on that score. At least one project from each HELP participating community received funding, although no project applications were received from Milton.
A version of this article appeared in the August 14, 2024 print edition of the Western Wayne News.
