Mayor Proposes Incentives To Help Main Street Business

New grants and other funds could be on their way to Main Street Laurel businesses under a proposal to establish an economic development program for the city.

During Monday night’s council meeting, Laurel Mayor Craig Moe introduced a motion that would establish the program and offer $300,000 in grants and other assistance to business owners. The grants would come from unallocated money in the city's unreserved balance.

The funds include a $10,000 grant for relocating a business to Main street, a $2,500 grant for replacing or upgrading store front signage, and funds for facade and interior improvements to businesses along Main Street or historic buildings.

The program comes as the mayor and council are pushing to invest more along the Main Street corridor, which includes the arts district.

Jack Broke, deputy director of the Department of Community Planning and Services, said the city is trying to make Main Street more walkable as well as business-friendly.  Most of the funding would directly affect the area’s aesthetics.

“We’ve had several request from businesses for assistance,” he said. “The goal is to bring businesses downtown and improve appearances.”

In late 2010, the city to Main Street. There wasn’t a strong response from Laurel businesses and Brock said some owners said the grant was too little, prompting the city to now offer the $10,000 relocation grant. Businesses will be able to apply for one or all three of the funding programs offered.

“They're not mutually exclusive; you can get all [of the] grants,” he said.

A second public hearing on the motion will be held at 7 p.m. on March 26 at the .