Grant backs Lowellville businesses looking to spruce up

By Sarah Lehr | May 31, 2017 at 12:05a.m.

LOWELLVILLE

Small businesses in the village are getting a cash bump to help with upgrades.

The village has been awarded a $300,000 community development block grant from the Ohio Development Services Agency.

CDBG grants use federal and state money to target low- and moderate-income areas.

Lowellville’s grant will benefit 15 downtown businesses, with $224,000 in funds available to match private investments from the businesses themselves. The remainder of the grant money will cover implementation costs, including fees for engineering firm C.T. Consultants.

The funds can be spent on a variety of facilities projects, such as electrical upgrades, facade repairs and compliance with disability and fire-safety regulations.

Businesses are applying for the money now; the projects are set for completion by September 2018.

Ralph DelSignore, owner of Melillo’s Tavern, 300 E. Liberty St., is participating in the grant program.

His construction wish list includes roof repairs, window replacements and a new front porch. The cash influx is significant for a locally owned business such as his, DelSignore said.

“It means a lot,” he said. “It’s a big savings for me.”

Lowellville Mayor James Iudiciani hopes infrastructure improvements will drive customers to the downtown. The mayor says village beautification has been long overdue.

“Our downtown, to me, has been embarrassing,” Iudiciani said.

Separate downtown projects are happening alongside the downtown revitalization grant. Those improvements include decorative lights and new sidewalks and curbing at First and Third streets.

“It’s taken me 14 years as the mayor to see where we’re at today,” Iudiciani said. “Fortunately, we’ve got a cooperative [village] council. ... We’re looking to grow.”