MASSENA -- The Business Development Corporation (BDC) and the Massena Downtown Coalition (MDC) say that the application process for Massena’s latest round of grant funding for downtown improvements is underway.

Application packets are being delivered to every property owner in the target area for the grant, which is providing $250,000 in state funding for building improvements and renovations in three contiguous blocks of Main Street.

Property owners will have until Tuesday, May 14 to submit applications, and will have the opportunity to meet on April 23 for a personal application planning session with In. Site: Architecture, the consultants retained by the BDC which authored the winning NYMS grant and which is providing guidance and support for Massena Downtown Coalition initiatives.

Applications will be reviewed beginning May 15 by a grant design and review team that will rate projects in 11 categories, including the building’s current state, its role in Massena’s downtown, the level of owner investment, and the nature of façade and building improvements that are proposed.

Projects selected for funding will be announced the week of June 3.

“The ‘Massena’s Historic Downtown Core: Anchors & Gateways’ grant is one bold step for our downtown, and one part of a giant leap forward for our community,” said BDC Executive Director Michael Almasian. “We encourage every property owner in the target area to apply and are excited about what this funding can do to propel our local businesses, our downtown, and our community forward.”

For more information, contact the BDC at 769-8484 or 705-0009 or admin@massenaworks.com.