Building Improvement Grant Awards $10-Thousand to Five Businesses in Downtown Opelousas

September 24, 2021

(Opelousas, LA) – The City of Opelousas, Opelousas Downtown Development District (ODDD) and Opelousas Main Street, Inc.  (OMS) are excited to announce five grant recipients for the 2021 Building Improvement Grant (BIG) cycle.  The BIG Program, funded through ODDD, is distributing $10-thousand in grant funds to business and property owners that submitted applications in July of this year for work related to building rehabilitation and improvements.  The grant provides matching funds through reimbursement.

“The grants will not only help our downtown businesses and property owners but will also bring positive changes to the city’s downtown area, said Opelousas Mayor Julius Alsandor.  “This project is a great example of a collaborative effort between the city, Opelousas Development District and Opelousas Main Street.”

Launched in June of this year, the BIG program is a new initiative designed to assist property and business owners in rehabilitating and improving commercial buildings for the purpose of creating a positive visual impact, stimulating local investment, complementing other community development efforts and preserving the city’s historic identity and cultural assets.

“Restoring and improving buildings on our main downtown corridors will help with revitalization efforts for Opelousas, help with business retention and help to attract more private investment said Lena Charles, Chairman of the Downtown District.

Some of the project work for this year’s project include façade maintained and repair such as installing gutters, porch repairs and painting, transferring historic roof tiles and the installation of a patio canopy.

“We are really excited about this program and how it will provide some relief to local businesses and property owners,” said Melanie Lebouef, Opelousas Main Street Director.  “It’s also a win for our city as the total amount of investments for all of the grant projects is just over $100,000.”

The 2021 BIG Grant Awardees include:

  • Sebastien-Dupre Fine Jewellry, 822 S. Main Street
  • Wild Child Boutique, 123 W. Landry Street
  • Frank’s Po’boys, 603 E. Landry Street
  • Former Temple Emanuel Synagogue, 728 S. Main Street
  • La’Bellevue Petite Chateau, 122 East Bellevue Street

To view the guidelines and application for the Building Improvement Grant, Click Here.

Last modified: September 24, 2021

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