$200K will match beautification efforts for Medina buildings

File photo by Tom Rivers – This home at 204 West Center St., Medina, was one of 17 houses in the village to receive matching funds for improvements through a grant administered by the Orleans County Chamber of Commerce. The $200,000 grant also provided money to 11 businesses for façade and sign upgrades. The Chamber is accepting applications for a new round of projects.

MEDINA – Contractors worked on 28 properties in Medina this past year, giving them new coats of paint and making other beautification improvements as part of $200,000 in matching grants.

An anonymous equity group provided the funding for the grant program, which was administered by the Orleans County Chamber of Commerce.

The Chamber is pleased to announce the anonymous funder wants to offer another round of $200,000 in grants.

“It’s just been amazing,” said Kathy Blackburn, Chamber executive director. “We are thrilled with the work that has been done. It’s encouraged others to work on their properties as well.”

The grant in its first year funded projects at 17 homes and 11 businesses. The Chamber is accepting applications for the new round. The money is available on “a first come, first served” basis, Blackburn said.

The grants are capped at a $20,000 maximum per property. The program is limited to sites within the village of Medina.

Eligible projects include exterior painting; woodwork and architectural metal repair, cleaning, restoration, painting or replacement; masonry repairs and tuck pointing; window and door repairs or replacement; cornice or parapet projects; awning work; and exterior lighting fixtures.

The projects are all reviewed by the Chamber’s Façade Grant Review Committee.

To see the application on the Chamber website, click here.