OBSERVER Photo by M.J. Stafford Main Street in downtown Fredonia Monday morning. The village has received a grant to help businesses on the street reimburse the cost of facade renovations.

Fredonia has received $230,000 from the state for Main Street business district renovations

The money is part of $5.1 million in grants awarded in the latest round of the New York State Homes and Community Renewal’s New York Main Street Program. According to the state’s press release, the funding will “support 23 projects that enhance and revitalize Main Streets and strengthen local economies. The grants will improve residential and commercial spaces, preserve historic properties, and help communities build the capacity required to grow their downtowns.”

Mayor Douglas Essek announced the award at last week’s Board of Trustees meeting. “This will help our downtown revitalization with some building improvements, facades and so forth,” he said. “I’m very happy to let everybody know about that award.”

Trustee Jon Espersen told the OBSERVER the funds will go to renovation of building facades along Main Street.

“This spring, downtown business owners were invited to apply for funds to upgrade their building exteriors,” he said. “Our grant writer from LaBella (Michael Colquyt) conducted a meeting and assisted the interested parties in the application process. When the owners who are participating have the upgrades done, they will be reimbursed for the amount they were approved for.”