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In its first year, Alabaster’s façade grant program provided $102,000 in grant funding to help local businesses in completing projects totaling more than $185,000. (Contributed/city of Alabaster)

By NOAH WORTHAM | Managing Editor

 ALABASTER – Several businesses have benefitted from the Alabaster Downtown Redevelopment Authority façade grant program which has assisted owners in sprucing up their businesses and in attracting customers.

In its first year, Alabaster’s façade grant program provided $102,000 in grant funding to help local businesses in completing projects totaling more than $185,000.

“The City Council and the mayor have been looking for ways to reach out and help small businesses and property owners in Alabaster,” City Administrator Brian Binzer said. “Over the years, we’ve done incentives for brand new projects, but we are looking for different options to help small businesses that are already in the community or property owners that have owned property in the community.”

The city of Alabaster was inspired by other municipalities and the various types of grant programs that are used provide matching funds for projects that business owners wish to accomplish.

The city set about putting together its own Downtown Redevelopment Authority and then handpicked citizens to serve on its board. All five appointees happened to be residents who graduated from the city’s government academy program.

“They created the rules for the façade grant program (and) they created what the matches would be,” Binzer said.

The city of Alabaster previously allocated $125,000 in funds in its fiscal year 2024 budget to support the program. For fiscal year 2025, the city has continued its support with $130,000 in funds set aside to assist businesses.

“It helps them a little bit further along and to get in the door quicker,” Binzer said. “It’s hard to start a business and any way that we can help them along the way (is important). We’re not going to be able to provide everything for a small business, but we can help lift them up a little bit.”

According to Binzer, the program works by providing participants $2,500 without the need for a matching grant as long as they meeting certain standards, permitting and requirements. Beyond the $2,500 mark, the program offers a 50/50 matching grant of up to $25,000 which benefits larger scale projects.

One of the prominent businesses that benefitted from the façade grant program is the new Big Whiskey’s American Restaurant & Bar which is currently under construction at the former O’Charley’s building in the South Promenade shopping center. According to the minutes of the authority’s meeting on April 10, the building will see various outside renovations with work done on the outdoor patio and seating area, the removal of hardboard and smart siding and the potential for a painted mural.

The following businesses benefitted from utilizing funds from Alabaster’s façade improvement grants:

• Weatherly Animal Hospital – Landscaping
• The Royal Market – New signage
• Southern Landmark – Landscaping, roofing and awning
• Big Whiskey’s – Building renovation, including the replacement of exterior siding
• Klassy Klean – New signage
• P&F Coin Company – New signage
• Two L’s Creations – New signage
• National Code Seminars – New signage, awnings and paint
• Shawn Payne Alfa Insurance Agency – Demolition of old garage building near intersection of Highway 119 and Butler Road and building a parking lot
• Nawlins Style Po’Boys – New signage
• Lotus Catfe – Yoga studio
• Personal Auto Service – Bricking and paint

At its core, the Alabaster Downtown Redevelopment Authority lives up to its namesake by focusing on the development and revitalization of the downtown area of Alabaster. The grant program benefits a three mile radius that stretches from Highway 119 and Thompson Road to the promenade shopping center and down 31 toward Shelby Baptist Medical Center as well as County Road 17.

The Alabaster Downtown Redevelopment Board is comprised of five members that are appointed by the City Council and serve staggered terms.

The following individuals serve on the redevelopment board:

• Chairman Mike Myers
• Vice Chairman Andrea Holsomback
• Secretary Casey Jarman
• Member Cedric Burden
• Member Eve Hulsey

Those interested in learning more about the Alabaster Downtown Redevelopment Authority may visit Cityofalabaster.com/624/Alabaster-Downtown-Redevelopment-Authori.

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