The “before” photos. Local businesses selected by the Reinbeck Development Committee to receive facade improvement matching grants this year include (clockwise from top right) The Dig Inn, Windy Pines Properties, and Surly Steve’s. PHOTOS COURTESY OF GRUNDY COUNTY ASSESSOR’S OFFICE

REINBECK – Time for an upgrade!

The Reinbeck Development Committee recently announced its latest round of facade improvement grants with three downtown businesses benefitting this year including The Dig Inn located at 113 Broad Street; Windy Pines Properties located at 427 Main Street (the former Country Closet/Rostig building); and Surly Steve’s located at 405 Main Street.

“The intent of the grants is an incentive for downtown businesses to upgrade, remodel, and keep the front of their properties looking nice,” Committee member Dale Wambold told the newspaper. “Such things as awnings, windows, doors, siding, etc. It cannot be used for interior purposes.”

The grant is awarded annually via an application process and requires a match from those selected. More than $4,000 was awarded in total between the three recipients this year; once construction is complete, recipients must submit invoices to City Hall for reimbursement.

“Each year we hand out grant applications to downtown businesses,” Wambold continued. “We try to make it equal to each business. If they received a grant [the previous year], we look for other recipients the following year so no business is getting a grant every year.”

When contacted by the newspaper this past Monday, The Dig Inn’s Ben Robertson said his business – which opened its doors in 2020 – was one day out from completing the entire project.

“The work entails updating the outdated front windows and door, with new windows installed and new siding. I’m grateful for the assistance and love that the City is helping small businesses while also improving the downtown business district. It means a lot to us and we were thrilled to be one of the businesses selected for the grants this year.”

Past recipients of the grant include Generational Wealth, Evy Rose Boutique, Reinbeck Chiropractic, D&D Johnson Properties, Nana Rosa, and Indulge.

The newspaper will feature “after” photos of all three facades in an upcoming edition.