The Downtown Management Board recently awarded facade improvement grants to four Downtown businesses.  The grant cycle was announced in March of this year and applicants were asked to apply by the May 11 deadline.  Six projects were submitted to the Downtown Design Committee for review and consideration.  Grant recipients were Leo's Lounge for $4,000, Lake Street Dry Goods for $4,000, Stafford's Perry Hotel for $3,500, and J.C. Penney's for $3,500.

All projects receiving awards conform to newly developed design guidelines that will be published later this summer.  The Downtown Design Committee has been working on the guidelines for over a year with consultant Scott Day, Urban Design Services, San Antonio, Texas.  Development of the guidelines and creation of a facade assistance program were recommendations of the Hyett Palma Cool Cities Blueprint for Michigan's Downtown Grant won by the City and the DMB in 2007.

A total of $15,000 was awarded to the four projects and nearly $50,000 of improvements to Downtown buildings will be accomplished through the grant program.  Recipients of the grants were required to provide a minimum of a 50% match.  Money to support the grants comes from the Downtown Parking Fund.

Congratulations to the grant winners and thank you to all of them for reinvesting in Downtown Petoskey.  Their work will make Downtown better for everyone.

Want to win a basket full of gift certificates worth over $1,000 from Downtown Petoskey merchants?

Downtown Marketing Committee members are selling raffle tickets for this event, known as "Gift-O-Rama" in past years.  Downtown merchants each donate a gift certificate for their business and the value adds up quickly.  Tickets are $1.00 each or 6 for $5.00 and can be purchased at the Chamber of Commerce or from Marketing Committee members.  They will also be on sale the evening of Spring Open House.

Last year's winner, Meredith Arneil, couldn't look happier as she holds her prize.

Do you love Downtown Petoskey?  Do you treasure our many shops and restaurants?  Here is an opportunity to support them and maybe to win a valuable prize while you do it!

Just shop in Downtown stores and restaurants listed in the Downtown Shopping Map Guide or on our website during the period of March 1 through June 1, 2009.  Save your receipts and when you have spent a total of $500 you can enter to win $1,000 worth of "Treasure Certificates," the new Downtown specific gift certificates that will be officially launched on June 1, and FREE PARKING for one year.

Copy any receipts you wish to keep and store them in the official entry envelope, available at the Chamber of Commerce, 401. E. Mitchell Street.  Mail or bring the envelope, filled with receipts or receipt copies to the Chamber Downtown Office by 5:00 on June 1, 2009.  You may enter every time you spend $500.  The winner will be announced at the Downtown Petsokey Spring Open House which will be held on June 5, 2009.  You need not be present to win.

The Treasure Certificates will be issued in denominations of $5, $10, $15, $20, and $25.  Imagine winning a stack of them to take on a shopping spree in Downtown Petoskey!