Tucker business owners are taking advantage of grants issued by the Tucker Downtown Development Authority to spruce up their storefronts.
The program, called the Tucker Downtown Facade Grant, provides matching grant awards of up to $12,500 to eligible businesses and will match up to 50% of the project.
The TDA has approved funds for a number of businesses, including Georgia Gifts & More, Mint Coffeehouse, Trio Nails, and Nicky’s Undefeated. More applications are on the way, according to Tucker officials.
At its Oct. 7 meeting, the TDA approved another application from Las Colinas Mexican Restaurant for $10,000.
TDA board member Bridget Brady, who owns Wine & Whimseys on Main Street, said the grant program is “helping downtown businesses to be more appealing and to encourage other businesses to consider relocating to the area.”
The city allotted the program $50,000 when it started last July, but at the Tucker City Council’s October meeting, the panel voted to transfer an additional $50,000 from the city’s Economic Development department budget.
The program has three award tiers. Minor projects are given up to $5,000, and major projects are given up to $10,000, with up to 25% extra allotted for major projects that involve restoring a historic facade.
While there is a defined project area, according to city officials, projects that are outside of that area will be evaluated on a per-project basis.