Downtown Monticello business owners will soon be able to take advantage of an expanded grant opportunity through the City for things like roof repairs and tuck-pointing.

Callie McFarland is the Director of Community Development for the City of Monticello and explains they are expanding on a couple of grant opportunities already in place. The current grants were very limited, calling them 'putting lipstick on a pig'.

McFarland explains there are some small changes to the program. The window for construction is now shorter and the program is run through the City Council. She notes they are hoping to rally interest in the program as the first application period begins in December.

According to McFarland, there is a review committee comprised of several different entities. She says the process has been streamlined to make sure there are more details in an application and projects get done quicker.

McFarland points anyone with questions to the City website, cityofmonticello.net or to contact them at 217-762-2583.