Downtown Façade Grant applications due Dec. 31

Claremore Main Street seeks applications for two remaining $1,000 matching grants for façade improvements within the organization’s downtown district.

The Façade Grant Program already has proved to be successful as the organization has awarded two grants for $1,000 each since it was announced in April.

The program has quarterly deadlines for building owners to apply when it is most convenient for them. The next deadline is Dec. 31.

“We have received strong applicants to date and are proud to have been able to award two recipients – seeing one project through to finish and another in the works,” said Jessica Jackson, director of Claremore Main Street. “These grants are designed to give property owners even more incentive to complete the projects they’re already working on.”

The grant, which matches the investment made on the exterior of downtown properties dollar-for-dollar, consists of $1,000 matching grants. Two are remaining for the fiscal year that ends June 30, 2018.

The inaugural recipient was Carol Thibodeau, owner of Rhapsody Boutique & Spa, 318 W. Will Rogers Blvd., for a new awning on the building’s storefront. The awning was installed last month.

“I am thankful for the Main Street Façade Grant, which enabled me to fulfill my dream of having a black-and-white striped awning on my storefront,” Thibodeau said. “The awning perfects the look I was hoping to achieve.”

In October, Claremore Main Street awarded a grant to the Rogers County Historical Society for help paying for the repairing, caulking, re-glazing and painting windows and trim at the Belvidere Mansion, 121 N. Chickasaw Ave.

Applications must be completed in full, including a detailed description of the project, bids or quotes and photos, and be turned in by the deadline. Applications will be reviewed and applicants will be notified by mid-Jannuary.

“We are thrilled with the movement we’ve seen downtown already, so the Economic Vitality committee created this grant to help be a part of that,” Jackson said. “The goal is to enhance the visual appeal of the building while increasing property value and preserving the building’s historic character.”

Eligible improvements include masonry work, window and door repair or replacement, some exterior painting and repair of some awnings, exterior lighting and signage and removal of non-historic materials.

Applications will be given priority if they prove high visual impact, historic or architectural integrity, lasting improvements and are on an active street front.

Projects must be completed within six months of the award notification. Applicants must be in the current Claremore Main Street boundaries.

Applications should be turned into Claremore Main Street’s office, 419 W. Will Rogers Blvd., or emailed to on or before Dec. 31. The Claremore Main Street office will close at 3 p.m. Dec. 29 and will not reopen until Jan. 2. Emails can be submitted until midnight central standard time on Dec. 31.

Claremore Main Street is dedicated to its mission to enrich downtown Claremore by promoting a healthy downtown economy and advocating for revitalization and historic preservation. It is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that was established in 2002.

For more information, call Jackson at 918-341-5881 or email . Applications and a map of the boundaries can be downloaded online at here.

There’s another downtown grant, too! Get information about the Downtown Claremore Merchant Association Giving Back Grant.