Two local uptown business locations were awarded rebate funds Friday as part of the city of Hillsboro’s Business Façade Program.

Lincoln Investment Planning and Blossoms and Buds were awarded the grants after they made improvements to the façades of their adjoining businesses in the 100 block of North High Street.

The program began last year, and Safety and Service Director Todd Wilkin said that any qualified building owner can participate in the program by making façade upgrades.

The funds, which come from the city’s Revolving Loan Fund, are administered through the Hillsboro Uptown Renaissance Project (HURP).

The goal of the program is to maintain and improve the appearance of the uptown business district. The façade improvement program will pay as much as 50 percent of improvements up to $5,000. Each business on Friday received $2,500.

In a letter to the Revolving Loan Fund Committee recommending the awards, Doug Farber, president of HURP, noted that Lincoln Investment spent $5,266 and Blossoms and Buds spent $5,378 on the façade improvement.

“We are satisfied that the work has been completed to everyone’s satisfaction and we believe the improvements made are of great benefit to the aesthetics of the historic business district in Hillsboro,” Farber wrote.

“Based on the Business Façade Program parameters, we recommend that a $2,500 rebate be issued to both Lincoln Investment and Blossoms and Buds,” he wrote.

Wilkin said the goal of the program is to stimulate economic development.

“It promotes foot traffic and excites the town,” said Wilkin. “Such improvements are encouraged because they help maintain or create jobs,” he said.

On hand representing the city was Mayor Drew Hastings, with Farber representing HURP and Steve Thompson on behalf of the Revolving Loan Fund Committee. Marco and Sally Renk accepted the award for the Lincoln Investment property, and Mischelle Wyatt represented Bob Hottle of Blossoms and Buds.

Sally Renk noted that many people have commented that the entire block from Merchants Bank to the north on North High Street has become one of the most attractive blocks in the city.

Business owners interested in participating in the program can contact Doug Farber of HURP at 937-393-3823.

Reach Gary Abernathy at 937-393-3456 or on Twitter @abernathygary.

Lincoln Investment Planning and Blossoms and Buds were each awarded $2,500 rebates Friday for improvements made to the facades of their adjacent businesses on North High Street. From left: Doug Farber, president of HURP; Sally Renk and Marco Renk of Lincoln Investment Planning; Steve Thompson of the Revolving Loan Fund Committee; Mischelle Wyatt, representing Bob Hottle of Blossoms and Buds; and Mayor Drew Hastings, gesturing toward the renovated business facades.

http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/33/2015/07/web1_facade-pic1.jpgLincoln Investment Planning and Blossoms and Buds were each awarded $2,500 rebates Friday for improvements made to the facades of their adjacent businesses on North High Street. From left: Doug Farber, president of HURP; Sally Renk and Marco Renk of Lincoln Investment Planning; Steve Thompson of the Revolving Loan Fund Committee; Mischelle Wyatt, representing Bob Hottle of Blossoms and Buds; and Mayor Drew Hastings, gesturing toward the renovated business facades.