(Editor’s Note: This story was originally published in Fly The Flag. It is reprinted by permission.)
By Toni Garrard Clay
It is generally agreed that Athens is among the prettiest cities in East Texas, with its oak trees, rollings hills, ponds and nearby Lake Athens. There is, however, a visual weak spot on the west side of town, from the area where state highways 31 and 175 split (known to locals as “the Y”) toward the downtown square on Corsicana Street.
“The AEDC board is aware there’s an appearance problem along that corridor,” said Athens Economic Development Corporation President and CEO Brian Malone. “Whenever business prospects come into town, if they fly into DFW and then drive into town on 1 75, the first part of Athens they see is that corridor, and it does not make for a good first impression.”
In order to address the issue, the board has approved a pilot program, which is tentatively being called the business assistance grant program. The official name is still to come.
“The nexus of the program is to provide an incentive for owners to clean up their buildings, whether that’s through landscaping, parking lot repair, a new facade, painting or whatever,” said Malone. “The way the grant can be used is pretty broad as long as it’s about improving curb appeal.”
The program will issue dollar-for-dollar matching grants, with a maximum grant amount of $10,000. In other words, a business/building owner could potentially qualify for up to $10,000, if he or she agrees to spend at least the same amount. The AEDC board has approved a budget of $50,000 for the program.
“This is the first grant program of its kind for us,” said Malone. “We want to specifically target that area. Later on, we may go broader, but right now, we want to focus on that corridor.” The target area extends from about a block west/northwest of the Y, traveling to and around the courthouse square.
“The city is very excited about this program,” said Athens Mayor Jerry Don Vaught, who is also an member of the AEDC board. “We’re hoping that people will take advantage of the program and, hopefully, we can get some building owners around the square and along 31 West to improve their facade or their landscaping.”
Applications for the grant program will be available beginning Oct. 1, which is when the new budget year begins for the AEDC. Applications will be posted to the website, www.athenstexasedc.corn.
“We will be informing all the business and building owners in the area about our program and encouraging them to apply for a grant,” said Malone. “We want to get this kicked off as quickly as possible. We’ve already had some business owners contact us about this. So we’re eager to get it rolled out. We want to see as many people participate as possible.”
For more information, contact the AEDC office at 903-675-4617.
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Toni Garrard Clay is the editor of Fly The Flag.