Grants SPARK Small Business Investment

Township launches small business grant program for façade/exterior updates

West Chester was founded by strong-willed entrepreneurs who farmed the land and sought opportunities to determine their own destiny; the SPARK Grant celebrates that same spirit today.

The West Chester Board of Trustees has launched a small business revitalization grant program to encourage investment in exterior improvements in our business corridors. The incentive program was approved at the Nov. 15th Board of Trustees meeting.

“Route 42 is the heart of our small business community in West Chester and so that is the inspiration behind the new grant program,” said Economic Development Katy Kanelopoulus. “The program, however, is open to any eligible small business in the community because we believe all could benefit from the opportunity.”

The SPARK Grant is for owners or tenants to make improvements at the front door of their business, enhancing the business specifically, as well as the aesthetic of the neighborhood. West Chester will partner financially with these entrepreneur applicants to make visible, impactful change invigorating their business and small business corridors across the Township.

The program is available to West Chester Township property owners or commercial tenants with no more than 30 full-time equivalent employees. Award amounts will vary between $1,000 and $10,000. Grant amounts will be determined by the strength of the application with scoring focused on quality of design, impact to the larger business neighborhood, location, job creation and shared investment of the applicant.

The grant funding could be used for exterior painting,

Small Business Revitalization Grant

enhanced outdoor public space, upgraded landscape, signage, exterior lighting and demolition of an existing building.

The current application cycle is Dec. 1, 2022 to Feb. 28, 2023 with awards announced on March 15. Application periods will be available throughout the year as long as there is available funding.

Applications can be completed online only and are available at www.weschesteroh.org/SPARK

New Digs for the Chamber Alliance

The West Chester Liberty Chamber Alliance has a new home at 8763 Union Centre Boulevard, Suite 400, in the former the headquarters for Kemba Credit Union. This landmark location in West Chester’s Central Business District offers The Chamber Alliance more office space, state-of-the-art technology, and easier access to better serve its chamber members.

The West Chester Liberty Chamber Alliance is all about connecting people and possibilities. As a “go-to” business leader in the area, it supports the growth and development of West Chester and Liberty townships, the business epicenters of the region and the connectors for Cincinnati and Dayton along the I-75 Growth Corridor. www.thechamberalliance.com

MLK Day March Bridges West Chester and Liberty

Your family is invited to march with Butler County neighbors this Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

The Live The Dream: Our Declaration of Unity planning committee is organizing its annual MLK Day march for Monday, January 16, 2023. The march starts at 10 a.m. from the parking lot of the West Chester Cabela’s, 7250 Cabela Drive.

Marchers will cross Liberty Way to Liberty Center, where the route loops around the shopping mall. A brief reception immediately follows the march at the Liberty Center Living Room, 7100 Foundry Row. All outdoor activities are weather dependent and subject to change.

Live The Dream is a grassroots network of residents and stakeholders founded more than two decades ago by West Chester resident Gail Webster.

Guests of the march are encouraged to stay and have lunch at a Liberty Center restaurant of their choosing following the morning’s events.

Connect with Live The Dream: Our Declaration of Unity on social media at Facebook.com/LiveTheDreamWCL.

The Market:

West Chester’s farmers market continues through the winter months at the Muhlhauser Barn in Beckett Park, 8558 Beckett Road.

Farmers and makers of artisanal goods gather twice each month during the winter providing produce from their local greenhouses and products for sale. The Winter Market is open 2 to 4 p.m. on the following Saturdays:

• December 3 and 17

• January 7 and 21

• February 4 and 18

• March 4 and 18

There’s no heat in the Barn, so bundle up and support local.

Muhlhauser Barn Gets a New Coat of Paint

When the Muhlhauser Barn closes its 2022 season, the Township is poised to make some big improvements to the building that has a rich history.

West Chester Township will invest in a new ceramic coating paint for the building and a new deck with plans for a fresh start when the Barn re-opens for rentals in 2023 – West Chester’s bicentennial year.

The Muhlhauser Barn was moved to Beckett Park as a gift from Ohio Casualty and the Muhlhauser family. It is a timber-frame style barn first built in 1881. It served as a barn on the Muhlhauser family farm and connects our community to Cincinnati brewing history. The Moerlein, the Muhlhauser and the Windisch families were all farmers who also successfully brewed beer. They farmed and had summer homes in West Chester.

The Muhlhauser Barn was reconstructed at Beckett Park using nearly all the original timbers and tile roof. The Barn opened in 2007 as a seasonal rental facility and has hosted 1,200 family events since then, as well as small festivals and community events.

Rental rates for the Barn were increased this year for the first time since 2011. The new rates apply to any new reservations moving forward. Recently approved changes in the operation of the Barn will also allow more opportunity for weekday community use.

Call 513-759-3960 or visit www.westchesteroh.org/Barn