Nearly $100,000 in grant funding is supporting exterior improvements at four downtown Sioux Center businesses as the city continues its broader downtown revitalization efforts.
The City of Sioux Center created the one-time SCORE Grant Program (Sioux Center Opportunity for Restoration and Enhancement) to encourage property improvements during the Highway 75 reconstruction project.
The Sioux Center City Council allocated $100,000 for the program. Grants totaling $99,962 were awarded to State Farm, Furniture Mart, Reichert Tax & Bookkeeping and Avenue Vet Supply. The businesses’ combined project costs total $376,817.
State Farm and Avenue Vet Supply have completed their improvements, while work at Furniture Mart and Reichert Tax & Bookkeeping remains underway.
Two Types of Grant Assistance
Sioux Center Building and Code Official Kris Pieper, who helped coordinate the program, said SCORE offered two funding opportunities.
Restoration grants of up to $10,000 helped businesses restore or replace existing façades and exterior features. Revitalization grants of up to $25,000 supported new exterior features or building expansions.
The program was designed to complement the Highway 75 reconstruction project and support the city’s longer-term vision for downtown Sioux Center.
Building Momentum Downtown
City Manager Scott Wynja said SCORE is one piece of a broader strategy to strengthen the downtown district.
“It’s a phased approach with the highway project, the grant, and looking into redeveloping city-owned property,” Wynja said.
Downtown master planning was identified as a top priority during the city’s strategic planning process this year. Wynja said the projects could encourage additional investment by other downtown property owners.
“It will help encourage other property owners to make improvements to their property. From a resident and community standpoint, it helps encourage people to visit downtown and help create that identity of what is downtown Sioux Center,” Wynja said.
