Neighborhoods, downtown businesses eligible to apply for grant funds

If you’re a fan of HGTV’s Home Town Takeover, you might look around and see places around our city that could use some sprucing up. While we can’t offer that kind of star power, the City of Marysville has established a dedicated beautification fund that may help pay for eligible projects. 

Well-kept neighborhoods and business areas provide benefits to both residents and visitors.  They are safer, healthier places that the City of Marysville is proud to support.

The Community Beautification Grant Program seeks to partner with homeowners, residents and local business owners in the downtown area to beautify outdoor and exterior spaces. This is a competitive grant process. Applications are due by 5 p.m. Friday, July 2. 

Neighborhood project examples might include community landscaping, common space site furnishings, cleaning up publicly visible areas, fencing, pathways, or improvements that promote community gathering spots. Grants are intended to provide community value by enhancing aesthetic appeal. Projects designed with that goal, and in a way that benefits the community at large rather than one homeowner in particular, may qualify. 

Business applicants must be located in the downtown area between the south city limit north to 8th Street and the west city limit east to Alder Avenue. Applications that include multiple businesses with a shared frontage or located next to each other are highly encouraged. Beautification projects much occur on the building exterior such as façade, aesthetic upgrades, structural improvements, historic restoration, signage and more. Routine maintenance, rebranding or expansion are not eligible. 

Grants of up to $7,500 may be awarded for larger projects and to first-time grant recipients, or $5,000 for those who have previously received Community Beautification Grants funds. A committee reviews the applications and recommends funding, which is then presented to the City Council for approval in July 2021. Funds are reimbursed upon project completion. Projects must be completed by Nov. 1 with request for reimbursement submitted by Dec. 1. 

Find more details and the application form at https://www.marysvillewa.gov/761/Community-Beautification-Program.