Colorado Main Street: Open for Business Grant provided $5.97 million to towns across the state to help local businesses, of which many projects are almost complete!

Central City was awarded $327,727.05 in grant funding from Colorado Main Street: Open for Business in 2021. These funds went towards new HVAC systems, improved storefronts, new windows, repainting, and flashing, and will greatly improve the appearance and energy efficiency within Central City’s downtown. Colorado Main Street trusts that investing in façade and efficiency improvements will in turn result in more customer visitations, lower energy bills, and will also increase and create jobs. The goal is to create a catalytic ripple effect of investment in our treasured downtowns.

The three projects awarded included Boulter Developments at 131 Main Street, Ante Up Café at 125 Main Street, and Hawley Mercantile at 121 Main Street. Since the beginning of May, the projects hit the ground running with a quick turnaround of June 30, 2022. What you may not have noticed on the street is the window restoration that happened offsite for Ante Up Café and Hawley Mercantile. Boulter Developments replaced seven rooftop units to improve the energy efficiency of the building for a future casino.

The new HVAC system will make a positive impact for Boulter Developments by regulating heating costs and making the building more energy efficient. The new system will save the business owner money.

“Ultra-high heating costs have been a major challenge in our downtown businesses. The energy efficiency updates funded by the state will allow them to run their business more profitably and have more consistent incomes,” said Lisa Roemhildt.

While Central City is very excited about the obvious aesthetic improvements this grant is bringing about, even more thrilling is the many changes it will inspire. Central City is looking to continually make improvements in the downtown space and support businesses that also give back to the community. Projects such as these have the power to improve staff morale, increase sales, generate sales tax revenue, and keep doors open.

About the DOLA Colorado Main Street: Open for Business Grant

Businesses receiving funding from the Main Street: Open for Business grant were required to be located within one of Colorado’s traditional downtowns, and municipalities had to apply on their behalf. DOLA provided funding for 80% of the proposed projects to awardees, with the municipality, property or business owner responsible for providing the remaining 20%.

DOLA received applications totaling more than $21 million in requests. 105 businesses in 16 communities were awarded grants, fully utilizing the $5.97 million available. 65 of these businesses are DBE (disadvantaged small business enterprises) that includes minority-, women- and veteran-owned businesses.

Learn more about DOLA and the Colorado Main Street Program at cdola. colorado.gov/main-street.

Learn more about the Main Street: Open for Business Grant at cdola. colorado.gov/open-for-business.