The City of Yelm will offer grants to neighborhoods, community groups and local businesses through its Community Beautification Grant program.
The program seeks to collaborate with homeowners, residents and local business owners in the downtown area to beautify and provide improvements in the community, stated a news release from the city.
The program is currently accepting applications for project proposals for 2023.
“This is a competitive grant offering,” stated the release. “A grant review committee will score the applications and make the award selection. The committee will then present their recommendations to Yelm City Council for approval.”
Applications are due by 5 p.m. on Friday, March 3.
“The beautification grant came to fruition as part of the city’s efforts to increase transparency and equality in community beautification,” stated Yelm Mayor Joe DePinto in the news release. “I was very happy about the process which the council settled on that provides the downtown businesses and individuals with this grant opportunity to make Yelm an even more beautiful place to work and live.”
Examples of some qualifying projects include community landscaping projects, common space site furnishings, or cleaning up commons areas and areas that are visible to the public.
Projects might involve the installation of fencing or paths to improve or control access to common areas or parks, stated the release. Improvements that promote community gathering spots through resting or active areas are also eligible.
“The grant is intended to provide community value through enhancing aesthetic appeal,” stated the release. “Any project designed with these goals at its core and designed in a way that benefits the community at large rather than one homeowner in particular may qualify.”
Final projects must be completed by Sept. 30, which will give applicants six months to complete projects throughout the spring, summer and fall.
