Façade Grants Approved for two Businesses

Nick Dutro
Tiffin-Seneca Economic Partnership

Program has now supported 100 building projects in Downtown Tiffin

The exterior of Behm & Henry, 185 S. Washington St.

During a meeting Tuesday, Oct. 5, the City of Tiffin Architectural Board of Review (ABR) approved façade grants for Bailiwicks and Behm & Henry. With these approvals, 100 building projects in Downtown Tiffin have now been approved by the ABR for the Façade Enhancement Program.

During the meeting, the board approved a $4,360 facade grant for Bailiwicks Coffee Co., 62 S. Washington St., for roof repair and door replacement; and a $10,000 grant for Behm & Henry, 185 S. Washington St., for roof replacement and skylight repair. Combined, the estimated cost of these projects is a $30,498 investment in Downtown Tiffin.

Mayor Aaron Montz was pleased with the announcement of the most recent façade grant projects, and especially with the program for hitting the milestone. “When we started this program in 2014, we had the vision of maintaining these historic properties in Downtown Tiffin, but also helping those building owners and businesses who are investing in our community. I couldn’t be more proud that we’ve been able to see 100 projects funded by this program, and expect we’ll keep seeing that number grow for years to come.”

The 2021 Façade Enhancement Program continues to be successful with 13 building project approvals for an investment of more than $245,000. Since the city-funded Façade Enhancement Program’s inception in 2014, 100 projects have been approved for a total downtown investment of more than $2.6 million.

About the Façade Enhancement Program

The Façade Enhancement Program is a City of Tiffin reimbursement grant that was started in 2014 and provides a 50 percent match of funds for eligible exterior improvements on residential and commercial structures within the downtown historic district, up to $10,000. Each building is eligible to receive up to $10,000 per calendar year. For more information, visit www.tiffinseneca.org (search “Façade Enhancement”).

About Downtown Tiffin

The revitalization of downtown Tiffin began in 2011, when a group of community members came together to for “Tiffin Tomorrow”, with the goal of promoting and encouraging economic development in downtown Tiffin, and creating plans, programs and actions to ensure long-term vitality and prosperity. In 2014, the city of Tiffin contracted with SIEDC to act as the downtown organization and “Tiffin Tomorrow” came under the SIEDC umbrella as the “Downtown Development Committee,” which serves as the governing board of the downtown organization. In 2015, Tiffin joined Heritage Ohio’s Ohio Main Street Program. For more information, click here.