At the Fraser Board of Trustees meeting March 19, trustees awarded $81,917 in Fraser Business Enhancement Grants to eight of the nine local businesses who submitted applications for grant funding.

The Fraser Business Enhancement Grants are intended to encourage improvements to the physical appearance of business properties, public infrastructure, amenities and gathering places, according to the town website.

Examples of eligible projects include ADA improvements, publicly displayed art, landscaping and streetscape improvements, renovations, painting, signage, awnings and cornices. The town’s website states that improvement projects that provide the most public benefit will be prioritized for funding.

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New this year was an early application deadline for priority consideration. Another change to this year’s grant program was that the maximum award was raised to $25,000. Previously, the maximum grant award was $7,500.

A 50% project match is generally required, but lower project matches are considered for projects providing maximum public benefit.

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During discussions, some trustees found issues with the grant criteria and process. Trustee Lewis Gregory questioned whether Fraser Valley Distilling, which requested the maximum $25,000 for a patio roof, should be eligible because it had previously received grants from the town.

“It seems like if they got money last year, they shouldn’t be eligible. They shouldn’t be able to ask for money every year. It seems like we’re just throwing money around,” Gregory said.

Some trustees found issue with the application from Grand Kids Learning Center, questioning whether nonprofit organizations could apply for the grant.

Trustee Julie White argued that getting bogged down in details would cause the town to miss out on opportunities. The resolution passed 4-1 with trustee Gregory voting against.

The following businesses were awarded a grant:

• Holiday Inn Express requested $8,109 for a gazebo, grill and lighted pathway project.
• Camber Brewing Co. received $5,500 for outdoor appearance improvements and a concrete ADA ramp.
• Solstice Bistro received $900 for two patio tables with umbrellas and signage. The bistro requested $2,000.
• Colorado Corndog Co. received $4,250 for a new food truck vinyl wrap, signage and new menu board production. The grant was given with the condition that the Fraser town logo be printed somewhere on the food truck.
• Grand Kids Learning Center requested $11,500 and received $8,625.
• Fraser Valley Distilling received $25,000 for a new patio roof.
• New business Moose & Merchant received $9,845 for a patio awning, outdoor patio furnishings and planters.
• Black Tie Ski Rental was awarded $19,688 to replace siding.

The only applicant that did not receive funding was Simple Coffee Co., which did not meet the grant criteria because it requested funding for indoor improvements.

A total of $125,000 was budgeted for the Business Enhancement Grant program for 2025 in addition to about $25,000 that rolled over from the previous year’s grant budget for a total of $150,000.

Businesses can still apply for the rolling grant, and applications will be considered until program funding for the year is exhausted. A total of $68,083 was leftover following the awards.