City of Ironwood community development director, Dan Peterson, says the city is trying to determine how many business owners are interested in participating in Phase III of the facade improvement program before applying for the grant. Phase I and II are still in progress, although Phase I projects must be complete by the end of 2008. Four businesses out of twenty-one original applicants have been finished so far; however, a number of businesses dropped out of the program. There has been some trouble with bids in Phase I and II because of the requirement of business owners to receive two bids.

The city held an informational meeting last week, attended by five business owners. The MHSDA grant covers half the improvement costs with the owners matching their grant. In Phase III, Peterson says the plan is to award only one area contractor all projects on a single bid and therefore, streamline the bidding and construction process.

In this phase Ironwood is eligible to apply for up to $200,000 with the required owner's match of 50%. Grant money may be used for such things as painting, awnings, windows, and lighting.