Cosmetic changes will be coming to Clinton’s downtown thanks to a grant Clinton was awarded last year. Interested businesses can now apply with the town to receive funds for a façade improvement project.

In late 2020 under the Small-Town Economic Assistance Program (STEAP), Clinton was awarded $128,205 to be used by businesses in Clinton’s downtown for façade beautification projects. The town also contributed $15,000 to increase the available funds for the projects.

Now, the town is set to start taking applications from people interested in using the money for the renovations. Starting Aug. 1, grants will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. The applicants will be eligible for a grant to cover up 75 percent of the cost of a façade improvement cost up to a $50,000 limit. Application forms, design concepts, and guiding information is available on the town website clintonct.org.

The target area for the projects is businesses downtown along Route One from Hull Street and to the Indian River. Secondary priority will be given to interested parties along Route One from the Madison to Westbrook borders.

“This program lets the town be a partner in helping existing businesses remain competitive by improving their facilities to keep downtown Clinton an attractive destination after the pandemic,” said Town Manager Karl Kilduff in a press release.

Economic Development Commission (EDC) Chair John Allen spoke with the Harbor News to shed more light on the project. Allen said that the EDC has already heard from multiple parties who are interested in participating in the program and called the grant a “spark” that could spur further investment in Clinton’s downtown.

“We don’t want this to be a one-off thing as they so often are,” said Allen. “If we can show this is professionally done, we can go back and say this is working and apply again for more STEAP grants,” said Allen, who noted that some STEAP grants can go up $500,000.

Getting the STEAP grant has been a longtime goal for the EDC and the town. Allen said that the commission was meeting with business and landlords in late 2019 and early 2020 to gauge the interest before applying for the grant in the summer. Once it was awarded the commission got to work putting an explainer together for interested businesses.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the EDC had left over money in its budget which was used to hire architect Diane Nazarko to assist with design renderings and concepts for a workbook on the grant.

“She really put her heart and soul into this it’s a terrific job,” Allen said.

Digital copies of the workbook will be available on the town website.

Part of the reason for the excitement Allen and the EDC have over the grant is due to a belief that by improving the aesthetics of Clinton’s downtown, which has been a frequent target of criticism over the years, the town will draw more people and their dollars to town.

“I think everyone wants the town to look better and this is a more attractive Clinton,” Allen said of the project.

Allen said that volunteer groups such as the Arbor Garden club and Placemakers have stated an interest in helping contribute to periphery enhancements to further improve the businesses.