W-2 Quality Meats, Redeemed Remnants to get facade improvements

Two more downtown businesses have been approved for Luverne’s Historic Façade Improvement Program.
The program offers free technical assistance for architectural design services as well as financial assistance in the form of loans and grants.
On Monday the Luverne Economic Development Authority approved applications from Luverne Properties LLC, which owns the building leased by W-2 Quality Meats, and for Atlas, which owns the Redeemed Remnants building.
W-2 Quality Meats is located at Main Street and Highway 75.
The project includes labor and materials to install stone veneer with stone cap and flashing, painting the exterior façade and canopy, trimming out the windows and doors and repairing and caulking the façade as needed.
Luverne Properties LLC (a group of local investors) has applied for the grant portion of the program in the amount of $5,080, which is 35 percent of the cost. The group will forego the loan portion of the application.
Redeemed Remnants is located at 220 E. Main Street.
The project will include tuck-pointing and cleaning existing brickwork, new windows on the second story, hardy board and composite trim in the sign band area above the storefront windows, new signage and gooseneck lighting and painting and new materials.
The EDA approved the application by Atlas, which requested a grant in the amount of $7,800 (35 percent of the project cost) and a loan of $7,800 (35 percent).
The loan will be repaid over a five-year term at 2 percent interest.
Both projects are set to begin later this summer.
The idea behind the Historic Façade Improvement Program is to support the revitalization of Main Street and downtown Luverne while restoring buildings as closely as possible to their historic appearance from 1878-1948.
The city covers architectural costs for a professional design proposal to ensure projects align with the goal of a historic Main Street.
Funding provided through the program can be used for facade materials, facade construction, awnings, signage and lighting.
Main Street Financial was one of the first businesses to complete a project last year through the program, and the Loopy’s storefront and Grand Prairie Events Center were improved earlier this year.
Other local businesses working on façade improvements and creative logo designs include Medi Spa, Salon 75, Restoration Alley, Brandenburg Gallery, Luverne Counseling and Luverne Street Music.
Additional applications are underway for other businesses that have not yet proceeded with their projects.
 
Schomacker Flooring and Appliance approved for loan
The LEDA approved a $4,100 loan to Schomacker Cleaning for gap financing to help with costs associated with a business expansion this summer.
Randy, Sharon, Anthony and Joe Schomacker own and operate Schomacker Flooring and Appliance, which will open soon in the former Luverne Style Shop building on the corner of Main Street and Cedar Street.
The total financing start-up costs for eligible expenses are estimated at $20,500 and will be funded through owner equity, bank financing and the gap loan from the LEDA.
The loan will be repaid over five years at 2 percent interest.