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BY IVAN SANDERS

CITY OF ELIZABETHTON PIO

Seven downtown businesses have been awarded a Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development Downtown Improvement Grant (DIG) grant for 2024.

After $150,000 was awarded in 2023, the City of Elizabethton received $300,000 for 2024 which has been awarded to the businesses after a thorough process of reviewing the nearly 20 applications totaling nearly $500,000 in total funds requested.

Additionally, a portion of the funds will go to improve the downtown sound system.

The seven businesses receiving the grants were as follows:

• Building 520 – 520 East Elk Avenue.
• Brandt and Robbins Law Offices – 711 & 713 East Elk Avenue
• Crossroads Craft Works – 411 East Doe Avenue
• Watauga Property Group – 625 East Elk Avenue (the old post office that preceded the library)
• August Muse / Appalachian Irish Dance – 518 East Elk Avenue
• Roots – 705 East Elk (Old Best Portraits Bldg – future business)
• United Way / Mamie’s Place – 544 & 546 East Elk Avenue

“We are thankful to have been chosen as one of the recipients of the DIG grant and excited to make improvements to our building,” said Kathy Campbell – owner of the building where Crossroads Craft Works will operate. “Since our building is situated at the gateway to our downtown area, we want it to be a welcoming and inviting entrance to our town.

“We will be installing glass garage doors, replacing entrance doors, and adding natural stone which will return the building to its original historical look and charm.”

The next step in the process will be to meet and get contracts signed with some projects possibly starting in the summer of 2024.

Those who received the grant are required to have the projects completed by June of 2025.

The Downtown Improvement Grant, or DIG grant, is a 75- to-25 reimbursable grant, meaning those awarded would pay for the completion of their projects and be reimbursed 75% after completion.