Metro Lex News

The City of Nicholasville introduced a Small Business Property Incentive Grant program in the fall of 2022. This initiative is designed to foster economic development and support local businesses within the Downtown Business District.

The grants are available for brick-and-mortar businesses, offering reimbursement for qualifying beautification improvements. These improvements include installing exterior lighting, landscaping, structural repairs, and other projects. Recipients must match a portion of the expenses based on the total project cost, starting at 10%.

Stephen Pracht, Grant Administrator, commented on the program's reception: “We’ve had a great response,” he said. “I have been meeting with many local business owners who are interested and applying.”

Among the recipients is the Jessamine County Chamber of Commerce, which used its award to prepare an exterior brick wall for a new downtown mural. Other recipients were expected to be announced early in 2023.

Funding for these grants comes from federal funds provided by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The city commissioners allocated $500k from ARPA funds specifically for downtown beautification.

Pracht assumed his role as Grants Administrator in 2021 and expressed enthusiasm about distributing these funds to benefit Nicholasville citizens. “My goal with this program is to make sure we have plenty of participants, and to use up all this money,” he said. “We think this will help our downtown. Every business owner has seen a decline in foot traffic since COVID-19. If we can make our downtown a little more vibrant, it should drum up interest for the entire area.”

He hopes that this inaugural program will succeed in revitalizing what he calls "the heart of the city" and serve as one of several initiatives aimed at supporting local businesses in Nicholasville.