Sparta Funding Facelifts For 9 Downtown Businesses

Crews have begun a project to improve the storefronts of several downtown businesses in Sparta.

Mayor Jeff Young said the city funded the projects through a grant program.

“I have a very small PR fund at the mayor’s disposal,” Young said. “I worked with the chamber of commerce and historic zoning board. We had 16 applicants for a $600 painting grant to paint only the storefronts of their buildings. Out of those 16 applicants, we awarded nine grants and there’s a lot of that work going on right now.”

Young said the grant requires workers to complete the projects by December 15.

“We’ve got lifts on several different buildings,” Young said. “Those folks are getting those buildings restored and really trying to make Sparta look nice.”

Young said its the first time in 25 to 30 years that the city has offered grants to downtown businesses.