Building improvement grants for downtown Washington will be awarded through the Washington Incentive Fund.

Main Street Washington announced that round eight of the fund has applications available. The Washington County Riverboat Foundation awarded the fund $75,000 to be used in the grants in downtown Washington. Executive director of Main Street Washington Sarah Grunewaldt states, “This program has helped to capture over $10 million of private investment in our community since 2008.”

She adds there are two changes to the rules for this grant cycle, that a grant recipient cannot receive funds in consecutive grant cycles and that at least $15,000 has been set aside for maintenance like roofs and awnings, which haven’t always scored well, but Grunewaldt says, “Are critical to the function and aesthetics of the building envelope.”

Those who are interested in applying are encouraged to get more information at a meeting Tuesday at 5 p.m. at the Washington Public Library. Letters of intent to participate are due to the Main Street office by 4 p.m. June 15th. Click here to see the application.