Downtown Bowling Green storefronts are in line for matching city money, with the first round of recipients expected to be chosen this month.
The city launched a Downtown Improvement Grant, known as the DIG Grant, and set aside $40,000 in all, WBKO reported on Aug. 1. WNKY reported that about half of that is for the first round and the rest is saved for early 2027. The Bowling Green Daily News covered the launch on Aug. 4.
How it works
According to WBKO, the city reimburses 50% of the cost of an approved upgrade. WBKO reported that a business has to invest at least $2,500 in a project, with a $7,500 maximum. The coverage reviewed does not make clear whether that maximum caps the project or the grant, so check ahead with the city before assuming what a given project would receive.
Applications were accepted Aug. 15 through Sept. 15, so that window has closed. Recipients are expected to be chosen in October and will have one year to finish their projects, per the launch coverage.
Who qualifies
WBKO reported that a business must be located between the Barren River and 13th Avenue or between Kentucky Street and Chestnut Street. Downtown business owners, property owners and tenants can apply, according to the launch coverage; WNKY said the program is for commercial businesses and developers, not private residences. Examples of eligible work cited in coverage include murals, signage, wheelchair accessibility improvements, safety improvements and restoring historic downtown structures. The city's Department of Neighborhood and Community Services is offering the grant, WNKY reported.
What it means for residents
Because the city reimburses part of the cost after approval, owners front their own money first. For residents, the visible results would be projects such as murals, signage and accessibility upgrades on downtown storefronts. No award announcement had turned up in the coverage reviewed, so which projects are funded is not yet known.
The city has said it plans another cycle and intends the program to recur, with WBKO reporting February. Dates and funding for that round were not available; check ahead with the city's Neighborhood and Community Services department.