By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
Barton County's Facade Improvement Grant Program has been a hit since its inception in 2021. The Barton County Commission allocated $630,000 to 45 businesses in the program's first round in 2021, then renewed the program with another $250,000 in potential funding in February. At Wednesday's commission meeting, Kevin Keller with Keller Real Estate & Insurance kicked off a round of requests from six businesses.
"Our business has been in operation since 1968, and we've been in that location since either 1980 or 81," he told the commission. "The inside we've updated, but the outside is getting to look somewhat old and worn, so this facade program just fits perfectly at the alley of what we were wanting to do."
The program matches 75 percent of project expenses with a maximum award of $20,000. That means a business can complete approximately $26,000 in renovations for just $6,000 out of pocket. The second round of the program does limit eligible businesses to those on or visible from the main corridor of Barton County communities. Commission Chair Shawn Hutchinson explained why only 25 percent of the can be used toward windows.
"The thing we were trying to avoid with that, was last year we had a lot of people that applied just for windows," he said. "That would really help their energy bill, but that really defeats the spirit of what we're trying to do of cleaning up the downtown, making it a better looking environment; it's a facade grant."
Keller Real Estate requested $20,000 and will contribute $48,900 out of pocket to their improvement at 1101 Williams in Great Bend. Todd Clark with Magna Dry, 1724 Main Street in Great Bend, said his company will pay more than $56,000, in addition to $20,000 from the county, for a new coat of gray paint, a blue awning, and a blue neon sign.
Greg King and Larry Gale spoke on behalf of The Ancient Free & Accepted Masons of Kansas, located at 1917 17th Stree in Great Bend. Though a non-profit organization, the Masons do still pay property tax on the building. They requested $17,091 and will match 25 percent of the project, which includes gray paint.
Eric Doan and Donita Frantz requested $13,258 for upgrades to H&R Block and Doan's Outdoor Store at 2023 Lakin Ave. in Great Bend. Doan said the area is a hub of activity, with stores like Great Bend Coffee and Bling in the same block. The business will match 25 percent of the request for renovations that include installing a set of double doors and adding steel to the awning to match area businesses.
Matthew Gerritzen continues to make improvements along Main Street on the south edge of Hoisington. His Sundown AgriSupply LLC business is already operating out of a new 72-foot by 120-foot warehouse. He will match 27 percent of a $20,000 request for improvements to the former gas station located at 463 S. Main in Hoisington, so the building can match the new warehouse. In Ellinwood, Fred Gunn will match 27 percent of his $20,000 request for improvements to Gunn's Antique's & Collectibles located at 107 N. Main.