The City’s Small Business Property Incentive Grant Program exists, as Mayor Alex Carter puts it, to “encourage a vibrant downtown and support our business community”.

Participation in the City’s inaugural round of this grant, which partnered with brick-and-mortar establishments within the Downtown Business District to help fund revitalization projects, was even greater than expected.

The winners were announced in early 2023 and have been hard at work putting the funding to good use throughout the year. In total, the city awarded $487,000 to these businesses, out of a total budget of $500,000. This funding came from federal funds the City received through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

The following businesses qualified to be reimbursed for a portion of the cost of structural repairs and beautification improvements, such as installing exterior lighting and landscaping.

Congratulations To The 2023 Grant Recipients:

Bethel Methodist Church

Bird Properties

Euro Wine Bar

Jessamine County Chamber of Commerce

Prestige Auto Care

Public Well

Reams Real Estate

Shadowland Community Church

Smith Law Offices

The Alternative Jewelry Shop

Tranter & Tranter Law Office

“The small business incentive grant has been the biggest ‘small project’ I’ve ever done,” Steve Pracht, City of Nicholasville Grants Administrator, jokes. “It has been a ton of work that’s gone into it, but it’s definitely worth it.”

The Nicholasville City Commission recognizes that a functional and attractive downtown, occupied by local businesses, is good for the economy and for our community. Following the success of the inaugural grant, commissioners approved funding for the grant program again in the Fiscal Year 23-24 budget. The grant will have an estimated $984,000 impact on the revitalization of downtown properties.