Magnolia businesses looking to spruce up their look may find a little help from the Magnolia 4B Community Development Corporation, which is offering a matching Business Improvement Grant Program. According to the state, sales tax revenues that fund the 4B Corp. may be used to promote the development and expansion of new and existing business enterprises in the city.

With this in mind the Magnolia 4B Corp. is offering 50 percent matching grants to Magnolia businesses looking to make improvements to their building’s façade, signs or general property. Improvements to store facades include painting, reconstruction and/or remodeling. Sign improvements include new signs or removal or renovation of existing signs. Property improvements include, but are not limited to, landscaping, parking lot resurfacing, striping, driveway improvement, lighting, decorative fencing, pedestrian-oriented streetscape amenities, new curb or sidewall and related amenities.

Grant amounts vary from a matching $3,000 for businesses outside of the new Magnolia Stroll area to $5,000 for businesses in the stroll area. The city is hopeful businesses looking for a new home will consider the Magnolia Stroll.

“We have had a steady stream of inquiries about the stroll, of course there are existing businesses along the walkway, but there is room for more,” Jonny Williams, a 4B Corp. director and chairman of the steering committee that gained voter approval for the stroll along with other city amenities including Unity Park, in 2007.

The grants are reimbursable grants, which requires businesses pay the initial cost of improvements up front and when the improvements are completed, owners will be reimbursed 50 percent of the total cost by the 4B Corp.

Prior to approval, all program applications will be reviewed by a 4B Corporation committee. All proposed projects must comply with city regulations, City Ordinances, Building Codes and The Americans with Disabilities Act Guidelines.

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