Submitted by Downtown Bellingham Partnership
The Downtown Bellingham Partnership (DBP) awarded three city-center businesses funding to make building facade and signage improvements via the organization’s Storefront Improvement Grant and now unveils the visual impact. The awardees were selected for the competitive matching grant program and received up to $2,000 in reimbursable expenses to execute their design proposals.
The DBP typically awards one business per grant cycle. However, with further financial support from BECU in 2022, the Partnership tripled business impact by funding improvements for Stockton’s Paint on Railroad Avenue, HOSA Hot Sauce on North State Street, and Ragfinery on North Forest Street. Collectively, the projects featured paint upgrades, creative window decals, planter additions, lighting improvements, and more.
“We were thrilled and honored to include two more businesses this year,” says Downtown Bellingham Partnership Program Director Lindsey Payne Johnstone. “We are incredibly grateful to BECU for helping us deliver these vital opportunities to our independent businesses.”
“Both doorways look so much better, and I’ve had positive responses from all over the neighborhood,” expressed Michelle Schutte, co-owner & managing director of HOSA Hot Sauce.
Details for the 2023 grant cycle will be announced early 2023.
