Western Wayne building projects receive $477K

Travelers along U.S. 40 in Western Wayne County should soon see eight spruced up commercial buildings.

Six buildings in Cambridge City and one each in Dublin and East Germantown were selected for grants from a $1 million Downtown Revitalization pool. The money comes from Wayne County government’s contribution of American Rescue Plan Act dollars for the Hoosier Enduring Legacy Program.

Another $1 million from the city of Richmond’s HELP funding is also available for Richmond downtown and Depot District commercial projects.

Steve Higinbotham, director of facilities and development for the county, presented Wayne County’s commissioners with the list of 14 grant recipients for the county’s HELP funds. Commissioners unanimously approved the recipients list that also includes four Richmond buildings and one each in Economy and Spring Grove.

The program is limited to commercial buildings, although applications received additional points for including upper-floor residential. Higinbotham told commissioners that most project proposals involved windows, exterior work and roofs. Property owners are required to pay at least 25% of their project costs, with a $100,000 maximum for grants.

Each community was able to define its downtown area. Richmond chose to include its downtown and the Depot District, although the county only considered downtown Richmond applications.

Cambridge City projects total more than $1 million dollars overall, with $415,813.75 coming from the grants. Projects to receive funding are:

• 12 W. Main St., Matthias and Kline Building, $100,000 toward a $637,500 project.
• 27 W. Main St., No. 9 Grill, $53,710 toward a $104,000 project.
• 105 W. Main St., $100,000 toward a $143,929 project.
• 118 W. Main St., Roses and Rainbows, $22,575 toward a $30,100 project.
• 119-121-125 W. Main St., Building 125, $39,528.75 toward a $52,705 project.
• 131 W. Main St., High Hats Antique Mall, $100,000 toward a $136,139 project.

In Dublin, 2022 E. Cumberland St., which is the U-Haul location, receives $9,407.82 toward a $12,543.76 project.

In East Germantown, 420 Main St., which is Sit Sleep Save, receives $52,388.25 toward a $69,851 project.

In Economy, 222 Second St., which houses H&H Design & Tool Inc., receives $41,340.74 toward a $55,120.98 project.

In Spring Grove, 1002 Oak Drive, which is Smile Time Kids dentistry, receives $81,049.50 toward a $108,066 project.

The four Richmond projects selected for funding through the county’s contribution total $1,113,528.19, with $400,000 coming from the grants. Projects to each receive $100,000 funding are:

• 716-718 E. Main St., Downtown Deli & Catering Co., toward a $161,258 project.
• 831 E. Main St., Sanders Jewelry, toward a $342,872.19 project.
• 915 E. Main St., Ply Fiber Arts, toward a $169,398 project.
• 931 E. Main St. toward a $440,000 project.

Building owners will be contacted to ensure they want to continue with their projects. If not, money would be available for the next project on the waiting list. Each project was scored and ranked by that score. At least one project from each community participating in HELP received funding, although no project applications were received from Milton.