DDRA awards two sign grants, announces additional funds
The Darlington Downtown Revitalization Association (DDRA) awarded two more grants through its Improvement Incentive Program this spring.
“We are excited to see more businesses getting involved in improving their properties,” said Lisa Chalian-Rock, executive director of the DDRA. “The concept of the grant program was to encourage all our businesses, new and existing, to update their signage and facades and make Darlington a more welcoming and attractive place for residents, customers, and businesses alike.”
In March, the first grant went to Tommy and Frances Ewart and Palmetto Office Furniture on South Main Street. The business has resurfaced the roof of the large historic building, removing rust and covering with clean paint. The upgrade breathes more life into the developing parcel on South Main Street beside RV & Boat Storage LLC, which used its grant to add signage.
The most recent grant went to Robert Singletary and Singletary’s Auto Repair on South Main Street, to freshen the exterior of the business. The new paint tidies the appearance of the shop and continues the refinishing at that corner with Out of This World Screen Printing and Palmetto Express Tax already giving their properties facelifts in the last year.
Singletary thanked the DDRA and other downtown businesses for their revitalization efforts.
“We all need to be revitalized,” Singletary said. “Downtown Darlington Revitalization is doing a good job. I am going to keep this money. I am giving this $1,000 to my church (Central Baptist Church) so that they can continue their work and maybe someone can revitalize their life.”
The DDRA Board of Directors approved $5,000 to be used for improvement grants in 2018 and has $2,000 left for this calendar year.
“We want this momentum to continue and see more businesses open and more succeed,” Rock said. “This grant gives owners a little more incentive to stay in Darlington or to locate in Darlington.”
Since the program’s inception, the DDRA has awarded $6,000 in grants for improvements, meaning more than $12,000 worth of upgrades have been made by local businesses due to our efforts.
To apply, download the application from www.buildupdarlington.org or www.darlingtonSConline.com or get a copy from the DDRA Office or Codes Enforcement Office at City Hall, 400 Pearl St.
Through the DDRA Improvement Incentive Program, the DDRA provides up to 50 percent of the cost of removing or installing an approved sign up to a maximum of $1,000 or up to 50 percent of the cost of exterior painting up to a maximum of $1,000.
The Board of Directors has $5,000 available for the program in 2018. Applications should be submitted by the 24th day of the month for consideration.
What is encouraged
• Replacement of wall-mounted signage with projecting signage.
• Replacement of several advertising signs at one location with a single advertising sign.
• Signs designed by a sign professional.
• Replacement of worn, weathered, discolored, or out-dated signs and awnings.
• Repainting of exterior buildings which show paint chipping.
• Replacement or installation of awnings.
What will not be funded
• Purchase of portable or temporary signs.
• Signs that do not conform to the City’s sign regulations and which have not been approved.
• Signs and painting for businesses without current City of Darlington business licenses.
• Interior painting.
• Interior signage.
The Board will review applications on a monthly basis at its regular meetings until funds allocated for the program are exhausted. Preference will be given to DDRA members and to local, non-chain businesses.