Downtown Development Authority awards business to improve facades

L’ANSE — The Downtown Development Authority in L’Anse is awarding these businesses with $2,500 to improve their façades.

It’s part of the 9th Annual Façade Grant Program. Businesses pay to have the work done then get reimbursed afterward.

Keweenaw Cairn Gift Shop Derrick Hoffman said, “For a small business owner, it means a lot. It really helps out quite a bit as far as being able to get those funds back. Especially, in the U.P., for a small business, $2,500 is a lot of money.”

The other businesses to receive awards are Unique Images, The Style Inn, Kissel Automotive, Lambert’s Auto Service, Skipper’s Bar and Grill, and the American Legion Post 144. The program began in 2007 and has now awarded a total of 48 grants to various L’Anse businesses.