By Patrick Newhook/January 13, 2022
Mount Pearl is continuing its Façade Improvement Program into 2022, in the hopes of beautifying more storefronts to sustain its small business base.
The city is spending $45,000 on the program. Initially set up in 2019, the program was created as an incentive for businesses in growth areas to make improvements and investments in their storefronts up to the value of $10,000 on a cost-shared basis.
“It signals our commitment to continue support for the business community,” said councillor Locke.
According to Locke, businesses have shown interest in the program.
“The city of Mount Pearl continued our commitment to economic development issuing over $27,000 in façade improvement grants to businesses making improvements to the extension of their public facing spaces,” said Locke during his 2022 budget presentation speech last month.
Businesses apply, and when approved receive a grant of up to 50 per cent of the project’s costs to a maximum of $10,000.
The goal is to not only make the local businesses, but also the streets they occupy, more appealing.
Deputy Mayor Nicole Kieley said this can help with the city’s sustainability.
“This is, absolutely, not only a great way to support small businesses, but also do it in a balanced way where it is cost-shared,” Kieley said. “We are looking at improvements that now will change, literally, the face of some of our economic areas and drivers for years, so it has a great sustainability area there.”
Councilor Mark Rice applauded the program’s positive effects, both for the city and its applicants.
“I think initiatives like this are really important for council and really important for the growth of Mount Pearl,” Rice said.
