The Knoxville City Council approved two more applications and the construction contract for this year’s facade improvement grant program on Monday.

There have now been 14 applications approved for this year’s program. Business owners can submit applications for facade improvements, in which the city will provide a reimbursement of 50% up to $10,000. The program had been restricted to the downtown area, but this year , it was opened up to businesses on Highway 14 and West Pleasant St. City Manager Heather Ussery says the facade improvement grants have been a great asset to the community and business owners.

“It’s been very successful. We’re up to including this year 55 applications that have been approved. As you go around the downtown square there are several buildings that have had some great improvements over the years and we are happy to be able to support those renovations and projects and the building owners’ investments into our downtown.”

See the businesses that were awarded grants this year on council agendas here.