The City of Monticello has awarded their first rounds of City Improvement grants and movement from their recipients is anticipated soon. 

On the WHOW Morning Show Tuesday, Director of Community Development Callie McFarland told Regional Radio News the city accepted applications ending in early December and last month awarded their first three grants to various businesses in the downtown district.

According to McFarland, the goal is to get business owners to invest in their properties and make the downtown a better place. She indicates the grant can encompass a wide variety of issues, which is why they combined several other programs into one.

The public/private partnership of the business district allows for business owners to receive a 50-percent reimbursement up to a certain amount. McFarland believes the investment from the community side of things improves the downtown over the long haul.

McFarland indicates the City hopes to award these grants during two rounds every year and the business district will last 23 years. She hopes eventually it results in a "new" downtown. She also points out the City has some high-priced projects that will need taken care of down the road and she says this will help offset the reliance on their general revenue stream.