CEDC awards grant to improved 287 property

The Clarendon Economic Development Corporation presented a $2,000 grant for exterior improvements to a commercial property on US 287 last week.

Developer Wayne Hopper received $2,000 from the CEDC’s Traditional Façade Grant program for renovations to the former McKinney Motor Company building at the intersection of US 287 and Koogle Street.

The project included removing covered parking in front of the main building, installing a new awning over the main entrance, and painting the main building and other exterior structures. Works has also been done to the interior of the building, which was not covered by the grant, in hopes of making the overall property more attractive to potential buyers.

Hopper is working with a commercial real estate agent to market the property and try to attract a new business to Clarendon.

The CEDC’s Traditional Façade Grant Program provides up to $2,000 in matching funds that can be used for almost any improvement to a storefront in the Clarendon Central Business District or along the US 287 corridor in Clarendon.

Examples of previously funded projects include a simple coat of paint to new signage to awnings to complete storefront renovations.

Prior approval by the CEDC board of directors must be received before a project begins. For information and an application, visit ClarendonTX.com/cedc/facade-grants.

Last week’s award bring the CEDC’s total for Traditional Façade Grants to $38,382.04 since 2008. A total of $9,200 has also been awarded since 2021 in the CECD’s Historic Façade Grant program, which focuses on rehabilitating historic commercial properties.