City Launches Façade Program

April 18, 2012

News Release

HARTFORD CITY, Ind. - The Hartford City Downtown Revitalization Committee announced today a new grant program for Façade Restoration. The program, designed for downtown area building owners, will provide matching funds to improve and restore the building façades.

The Façade Restoration Program is the newest initiative to encourage and stimulate the preservation of downtown Hartford City buildings and businesses.

"We are excited about the activity we are seeing in our downtown with new businesses being opened in existing storefronts," said Ted Leas, President of the Hartford City Downtown Revitalization Committee. "Our organization is hopeful that our Façade Grants will act as 'seed' money, and will encourage other private investments in our downtown buildings."

The Façade Restoration Program is an effort to build on recent success in downtown revitalization efforts in Hartford City. In the Summer of 2011, the Downtown Revitalization Committee partnered with the City of Hartford City to restore 32 window openings and sashes in the former Betty's Hallmark building. The building façade was also tuckpointed and painted, making a significant improvement on the downtown square. The Downtown Revitalization Committee and the City of Hartford City plan to partner on a similar project in the Summer of 2012.

"The Mayor's office has been extremely aggressive in finding new tenants for some of our vacant downtown buildings," said Ben Hodgin, Mayor of Hartford City. "The downtown area of Hartford City is vital to Hartford City's economic development efforts. Most of the buildings are still in very good condition and it is important that we find ways to maintain those buildings. I applaud the Façade Restoration Program and am hopeful it will make an impact in Hartford City."

About the Hartford City Downtown Revitalization Committee

Created February 2003, the Hartford City Downtown Revitalization Committee's goal is focused on the improvement and maintenance of the downtown business district. A variety of activities have been sponsored by the organization to bring residents and visitors into the downtown district to enjoy the beauty of the courthouse square and take advantage of the goods and services offered by Hartford City businesses. The organization continues today to be an ongoing catalyst for improvement efforts in the area around the courthouse square.

About Blackford County

AOL.com listed Blackford County as one of the Top 10 most affordable counties in the United States in 2008. Blackford County is the home of Colonel Kevin Ford who piloted the Space Shuttle Discovery for 13 days on Mission 'STS 128' and home to Jim Kline, who was recognized in 2011 as North America's Top Producer by Top Producer Magazine. Blackford County's employers include, but are not limited to: Printer's Express, Common Grounds, Pacesetter Bank and First Financial Bank. For more information, please visit www.BlackfordCountySites.com or contact Rob Cleveland at (765) 348-4944.

Source: Blackford County EDC