Downtown Lake Orion hosted a reception on Feb. 2 to announce its new Awning, Sign and Paint & Brick Restoration Grant Program to the business community.
A group of business and building owners was on hand to hear details of the program which will pay matching grants to approved projects within the Downtown Development Authority district.
A power point presentation was given by Steve Auger, Facade Improvement Program task force member. The presentation included examples of good design for downtown, before and after examples, and ideas of what kinds of changes Downtown Lake Orion is looking for.
Two downtown buildings were shown with computer renderings of what they could look like with minimal facade changes and new awnings.
Other task force members, Brad Jacobsen and Jack Kobliska, gave talks on how Downtown Lake Orion can help with facade improvement projects and why building improvements are good for downtown and good for business.
The reception took place at CJ’s Cafe because owner Carl Slomenski will be the first business owner to take advantage of the new matching grant program.
CJ’s is currently undergoing a paint project. Because Slomenski worked with the task force, his project was approved. When it’s completed, he will receive a check for half the amount of the project.
‘Downtown Lake Orion is very pleased with this initial project and is looking forward to working with many more businesses and building owners in the months to come,? Becky Goodman, Downtown Lake Orion Coordinator, said.