Paint, sandblasting, new signs, paneling––downtown Cobleskill has a new look these days.
Most of it is because of Cobleskill Partnership Inc.’s façade improvement program that business owners have eagerly bought into.
CPI’s aim is downtown improvement, so the organization this spring put up $15,000 for business owners to draw on to improve their building facades.
“We’re extremely pleased,” said CPI President Brian Kaiser. “Even people who we thought wouldn’t be interested have stepped up.”
CPI offers grants of 50 percent of a project’s cost up to a maximum of $750 per project.
If a project costs $3,000, for instance, CPI would pay $750; if the cost is $500, CPI would pay $250.
Many businesses have taken part or expressed interest: Skinner’s Jewelry, Vijaya’s, Jeff Haslun CPA, Catnap Books, Studio for Art and Craft, Impress, SEFCU, Fairuz, and Mallery Law Center, among others.
“It works because it’s simple,” Mr. Kaiser said. “You don’t have to jump through flaming hoops to get the money.”
CPI still has money left and is continuing to accept applications. Guidelines are:
• Buildings must be in commercial use.
• The target area is Main Street between Center Street and Veterans’ Drive and the side streets of Union, Division, Park Place, North Grand up to Chapel Street and South Grand to the railroad overpass.
• Grants are for improvements to a building’s façade that can be seen from the street, such as painting, masonry work, signs, awnings, lighting and others.
• Interior improvements do not qualify.
• All grants are subject to CPI approval.
Besides the grants, CPI has also arranged to have discounted prices on painting supplies from Noble Ace Hardware and Kelley’s True Value Hardware.
CPI will offer grants on a first-come, first-served basis until the money runs out. Mr. Kaiser said the program probably won’t continue next year.
“It’s been a nice economic stimulus to improve downtown and create more interest,” Mr. Kaiser said.