Mesa gets $300K for its downtown small business storefront improvement program

PHOENIX — Those visiting businesses on Main Street in downtown Mesa may have noticed some refreshed storefronts, and more is on the way with the announcement that $300,000 in funding is being added to the city’s façade improvement program.

The funding comes from the $1.5 trillion government funding package signed by President Joe Biden last month that includes $9.9 million for various Arizona projects.

Mesa created the program to help small business owners pay for improvements to the appearance of their building frontages through Community Development Block Grants.

A list of selected properties, along with before and after photos, can be viewed online.

The city asked U.S. Rep. Greg Stanton of Arizona to secure additional funding for the project.

Local businesses are the heart of our downtown. Pleased to expand façade improvements thanks in part to $300K in federal funding secured by @RepGregStanton. Funds will support small biz owners w/signage, façade updates & colonnade rehab/removal. @CityofMesa @DowntownMesa pic.twitter.com/I6dX7vYbuh

— Mayor John Giles (@MayorGiles) April 20, 2022

“It’s been a very positive project and I’m really excited about the continued growth of the facade improvements along Mesa’s Main Street,” Stanton told KTAR News 92.3 FM.

“The businesses that are in downtown Mesa are really a wonderful eclectic group of businesses that represent the vitality and kind of the soul of the city of Mesa. Lots of wonderful older businesses, some that have been there for more than 100 years, and lots of new businesses including bars and breweries and comedy theatres.”

He added the funds will help protect the soul and character of Mesa.

Stanton joined Mayor John Giles and other city leadership last week to tour a few small businesses that have benefitted from the program or will in the future, including The Nile Theater, Tacos Chiwas, Oro Brewing and National Comedy theater.

KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Balin Overstolz McNair and the Associated Press contributed to this report.

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