Main Street Arkansas, in partnership with the nonprofit Glenwood Downtown Network, has selected three businesses that will receive grant money to improve the appearance of their storefronts. This was the first year that businesses in the area could apply. 

While several business owners expressed interest in the mini-grants and met with Mark Miller, grants administrator for the state program, only three completed the application process. Kayla Hartsfield, president of the Glenwood Downtown Network, said the others did not submit cost estimates by the July 3 deadline.

“The three businesses are all right down there together on the same little strip, but that’s OK because that strip needs some love,” Hartsfield said.

The businesses are located along the same block of Broadway, the city’s historic thoroughfare. Their owners will receive certificates Friday, July 17, at 1 p.m. The recipients are:

• Thrash Propane, 105 E. Broadway, owned by David Hale: $2,500
• Shannon’s School of Dance, 109 E. Broadway, owned by Lauren Parsons: $2,500
• Legacy Boutique, 117 E. Broadway, owned by Christie Seitzer: $1,000

Legacy Boutique is receiving a smaller grant because it plans only to replace its glass front door, Hartsfield said. The other businesses “are going to be making significant storefront improvements that will make a visible impact to our streetscape.”

According to grant applications submitted to the state, Thrash Propane and Shannon’s School of Dance plan to install new awnings, replace rotten boards and repaint their exterior walls.

Thrash Propane has been a family-owned business at its downtown location for at least 80 years, according to its application. The business plans to replace its current doors, which have been in place for more than 50 years and are in poor condition, with new doors similar in style and material.

Shannon’s School of Dance has been in business for 34 years, including the past 23 years at its current downtown location. The application says it’s also planning new signage.

Main Street Arkansas is part of the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program and supports the preservation and economic revitalization of historic commercial districts across the state. The Glenwood Downtown Network was formed specifically to become part of the state program and was accepted last summer.

Hartsfield said she had hoped more businesses would have completed the application process. Miller visited Glenwood on June 30 to inspect the properties.

“It was a little bit frustrating for myself and other board members that we — Mark and I — spent all this time meeting with these different building owners,” she said, “for them not to go through and finish sending us their stuff.”

However, businesses in the downtown district will have another opportunity to apply for mini-grants next year. Hartsfield says she hopes the inaugural grant cycle will serve as a learning experience and encourage more participation in the future.