By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
June 30, 2023, has become the new deadline for many of Barton County's Facade Improvement Grants. During Wednesday's Barton County Commission meeting, the body extended several more grants to that date, and also changed the location of two grants. The Beauty Bar, located at 1409 Main Street in Great Bend, was expected to ask for an extension but has wrapped up improvements. Commission Chair Shawn Hutchinson said he was pleased with the results.
"That one is one of them that spurred the idea to get this facade improvement grant going because it just looked awful," Hutchinson said of the previous building. "It looks pretty awesome now."
Derik and Lexie Schneider were granted just over $15,500 for the improvements at the new Beauty Bar location. County Director of Operations Matt Patzner reported Wednesday that the Schneiders were passing on a door project and wrapped up their improvement with paint instead.
My Town, LP, located at 1917 Lakin Avenue, received just over $14,000 for improvements, which were extended to June 30, 2023. Hammond, Inc. was allocated a total of $40,000 for two Main Street properties. The 1205 Main Street allocation will be moved to 1405 Main Street, and both improvement deadlines were extended to June 30, 2023. Wine Boots Bar, LLC, at 2022 Forest Avenue, was also allocated $20,000. That improvement was transferred to High Noon, LLC, at 1500 Kansas Avenue, with an extended deadline of June 30, 2023.
"I will say, on each one of these, the recipients of the facade improvement grants did have to come in during study sessions and explain to us why they need an extension or why they're moving their grant from one place to another," Hutchinson said. "They're all within our designated districts still."
The county's Facade Improvement Grant provides financial assistance to businesses and property owners for facade improvements to downtown areas to create a visual impact and increase economic prosperity. Prior to the original deadline of Dec. 31, 2021, businesses could be provided up to 75 percent of eligible project costs with a cap of $20,000.