By KEN CARPENTER
Great Bend Post
Barton County will reimburse building owners in downtown Great Bend, Ellinwood, Hoisington and Claflin if they upgrade the facades of their buildings. That was a decision made unanimously Monday morning by the Barton County Commission.
The County’s Grant Coordinator Sue Cooper outlined the program for Commissioners and the public.
"The applicant could be a property owner or a business tenant in good standing with the government and local authorities,” Cooper said. “The building has to be in the defined district. Funds are for existing, street-facing commercial properties in the defined areas. This program gives priority to retailers and restaurants.”
Building owners and tenants will be reimbursed for 75-percent of the renovations up to $20,000 if their application for a grant is submitted and approved by the end of this year. After that, the county will match 50 percent of the renovation costs, and the total will be capped at $15,000.
Renovations must be completed within one year of a grant being approved, and work must be done by a licensed Barton County contractor. Any exceptions will have to be okayed by the Commission. The county is committing $300,000 from the county’s capital improvement fund for the program.
Commission Chairman Jim Daily explained his support for the measure.
"I think this is an example of how committed this commission is to do everything that they can do to help bring more business to the county,” Daily said. “Because if you build a nice main street, if you have a pleasant looking area to shop, people are going to know that. When they do, they’re going to try and spend their money.”
More information about the program and maps of the defined districts for each town can be found on the “Living In Barton County” page at bartoncounty.org.