After the April 27, 2011 tornadoes tore through downtown Cullman, the city government approved a rebuilding program to help business owners get back on their feet. Over the past 12 months the facade grant program has become a bona fide hit, on pace to divvy out more than $100,000 above the budgeted amount for the initiative — and city officials say they’re happy to oblige.
Cullman city council president Garlan Gudger, Jr. and economic office retail recruiter Susie Hood Ashley gave an update on the initiative at the monthly Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce luncheon Friday, and explained how the project has helped restore and improve downtown.
The facade program, which provides matching grants up-to $5,000 for facade improvements in downtown, had been in the works for more than a year before the tornado hit. But, after seeing downtown decimated last April, officials put the project on the fast track and launched just a few months later.
“The tornado jump-started everything,” Gudger said.
A total of $240,000 was budgeted for the program initially, mostly from new alcohol tax revenues, and $105,000 has already been disseminated. But, a total of $399,000 has been committed, and Ashley said residents would see the fruits of that labor within the next year as more businesses open and reopen in the downtown district.
“The board has worked with business owners and property owners to try and get them back on track,” she said. “A downtown with growth and improvements lets me do my job better as the retail recruiter.”
Though one could tout numbers — such as the estimated $8.1 million business owners have already reinvested, or the 300 jobs created or replaced in downtown alone — Gudger said he believes the less tangible benefit comes in the quality of life for local residents, as Cullman becomes a place people want to visit and live.
“We’re not competing against Wal-Marts, and K-Marts and big box stores in downtown,” Gudger said. “We want small, unique specialty shops. But, it’s because of that growth that we’re getting more big box shops on the highways. Downtown is the heart of our community, and it’s always among the top three things people want to see when they visit Cullman. The strength of your downtown shows the strength of your community.”
* Trent Moore can be reached by e-mail at trentm@cullmantimes.com, or by telephone at 734-2131, ext. 220.
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Cullman city council president Garlan Gudger, Jr. discusses the downtown facade program Friday afternoon at a chamber luncheon. Trent Moore
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City touts success of downtown facade program
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