CityScape awarding an estimated $120,000 in grant funds to several downtown Cookeville businesses to assist in improvements.
The funding comes from an estimated $255,000 state grant. CityScape Executive Director Ferran Kefauver said several businesses received funding to make structural improvements.
“We are going to be able to see some buildings be painted, we are going to see some facades be completely redone in the front, we are going to see a lot of awnings go up, a lot of lighting that is happening, some signage as well, so we are excited about those things,” Kefauver said.
Kefauver said structural improvements are often needed due to the age of the buildings in the downtown area. Kefauver said CityScape is proud to cover the cost and help business owners continue to make the downtown area vibrant and attractive.
“It’s extremely important that we do our part in making sure that these small businesses are thriving,” Kefauver said. “You know, we want to be a good team player, and we want to give businesses a chance, and any support we can offer them financially is more money they can spend on their employees, or creating a better service within their business, or something else.”
Kefauver said CityScape awarded grants to a few businesses in different pockets of the downtown area.
“We strategically spread them out enough so it’s not all centrally located in one area,” Kefauver said. “And so I think different parts, you know, we got some on the square, and on Cedar, and on Broad, and we have one on Spring that we awarded. So we are excited about seeing these improvements. Some will be small, and some will be large, but I think that they are going to work together just to help downtown Cookeville than it already does.”
Kefauver said an additional $100,000 will go towards hanging flower baskets downtown and rewiring the Cream City sign. Kefauver said some businesses have already begun working with contractors to start their respective projects. Kefauver said she hopes to see some of these improvements completed soon.
Grants awarded to AEI, Cookeville Children’s Theatre, Crawdaddy’s, Poet’s Coffee, Market on the Square, Outdoor Experience, Poppy & Pearl, Ralph’s Donuts, Seven Sense, and Wonderfill Refillery.
