PUTTING GRANTS TO WORK-Celina Mayor Tonya Spears and TN Three Star leader Doug Young recently presented Ricky Melton with a $10,000 check through the city’s third Downtown Revitalization Grant program, which he used to improve the appearance of the building housing D&D Auto Repairs. (photo submitted)

CELINA-Funds are still available to downtown business owners here to help them improve the appearance of the facade or front of their building.

Over the past 10 years, 25 of 40 eligible buildings in the downtown area have been able to secure mini-grants, with the most recent being property owner Ricky Melton.

Celina Mayor Tonya Spears and Doug Young recently presented Melton with a $10,000 check through the city’s third Downtown Revitalization Grant program, which he used to improve the looks of the building currently housing D&D Auto Repairs.

The grants provide 75 percent of the cost of the improvements, with the business owner providing the remaining 25 percent.

There is still over $50,000 available to business owners in the downtown area during this grant period and applications are available at the Chamber of Commerce.