The façade improvement program encourages improvements that stress the historic significance and uniqueness of the downtown area businesses and structures through building restoration. Community Development Specialist and Mayor’s Assistant Jan Kust says, “the goal is always to encourage improvements and stress the historic value and uniqueness of downtown structures through building restoration, the outside of it.”

Kust says, “there is the downtown area, retail and commercial areas near Menekaunee Harbor, including the businesses along Hosmer and Ogden Street. It also doesn’t hurt to apply if your business is outside these areas.”

The city’s financial participation is 50 percent of the eligible rehabilitation improvement project total cost. A business could receive up to a maximum of $10,000 in grant funding. Applications for the façade improvement program are available online at marinette.wi.us. If you have questions, you may call Jan at 715-732-5139.