The City of Bloomington has awarded grants to more than three dozen small businesses for various redevelopment projects.
The money comes from the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The city received $13.4 million from the COVID relief bill.
Most of the 38 supported commercial sites are located in the city center.
The Monroe Centre building received $22,100 to install automatic doors at the north and east entrances of the building.
“There were challenges for our guests with limited mobility,” said Denise Geske, co-owner of Fox & Hounds, a hair salon and spa upstairs. “Since we couldn’t staff the main entrance of the building 24/7, this seemed like a really good option.”
Geske said ARPA funding covered some of the costs.
The city is committed to improving compliance with the ADA law, particularly in the downtown area, where many areas lack adequate accessibility for the disabled.
Specs Around Town secured $45,000, the maximum amount the city would provide, to replace all of the building’s windows. According to store owner Julie Kubsch, several windows were damaged last year when excessive water entered the building during storms.
“It is exciting to benefit from the funding for Specs Around Town,” she said, adding that the building has also received a new coat of paint.
According to owner Paul Vanhook, Paul’s Upholstery received $19,200 to replace the air conditioning and heating vents, lower the ceiling, upgrade the electrical system and install new lighting.
Vanhook said the improvements needed to be made but had been delayed until funding was secured.
“Because it was a very small shop, money was tight or time was tight,” he said. “The grant made it possible to do everything at once.”
The city also awarded nearly $900,000 to homeowners to renovate their homes, with each recipient receiving up to $45,000.
The city previously awarded $1 million from ARPA to nonprofits, including Project Oz and YWCA McLean County, which each received $250,000; Home Sweet Home Ministries, McLean County Center for Human Services and the Salvation Army of McLean County each received $150,000; and Mid Central Community Action received $71,000.
The city also provided $750,000 for downtown streetscape improvements.
