The City of Sycamore is helping local businesses get the ball rolling when it comes to renovations.

The Downtown Facade Improvement Plan is a grant program that has been active for eight years in Sycamore.

The program is for businesses that want to restore their appearance to an architecturally significant image, said Sycamore City Manager Bill Nicklas.

Improvements covered by the program include, but are not limited to: restoration of historic facade materials, painting, repairing or replacing windows and new signage.

The program is a 50/50 grant program; the city matches every dollar a business puts in up to $5,000. If a building is on a corner and has two facades, it is eligible for up to $10,000.

The city allots $25,000 per year for this project, and usually all the funds are used. This year, however, it is a little different.

“This year we don’t know if we’re going to spend all that,” Nicklas said. “People are stretching their dollars a little bit more this year and they don’t have the funds for the facade improvement.”

D&D Jewelers, 341 W. State St., and Paulsen Appliance and Electronics, 245 E. State St., both had custom windows on the second floor installed with help from the Downtown Facade Improvement Program.

“The project does prompt us to get things done,” said Donald Paulsen, owner of Paulsen Appliance and Electronics.

Dawn Sukach, owner of D&D Jewelers, favors the program because it helps the businesses.

“We think it’s a great idea because it’s been able to help the buildings downtown,” Sukach said.

The historic aspect of the project is also favorable for business owners.

“It keeps a period look to the downtown area,” Paulsen said.