We received a phone call on Monday, Aug. 9, alerting us that the Town of Oyster Bay has received a grant for the new façade program. It's such good news for the hamlet, that we wanted to be sure you heard about it A.S.A.P.

The town announced that business owners in Oyster Bay hamlet can now obtain grants for façade and sign improvements through a program offered by the Town of Oyster Bay Department of Intergovernmental Affairs, Community Development Division.

Town Supervisor John Venditto said, "Since the Oyster Bay Hamlet Plan was approved in May 2002, the town and the community have been working together to implement the recommendations of the plan. One of those recommendations was to implement a façade and signage program. Through this new grant program, business owners can receive a 50 percent match up to $25,000 to make improvements to building facades, including new signs.

"Working in conjunction with the Oyster Bay Main Street Association, the town has developed guidelines and procedures for the façade and signage program. Technical assistance and guidance regarding specific improvements are being provided by the Main Street Association subject to approval by the Department of Intergovernmental Affairs."

Business owners interested in participating in the program should contact the Oyster Bay Main Street Association Executive Director Joan Mahon at 922-6982. Once the Main Street Association has approved the inquiries, they will be forwarded to the Department of Intergovermental Affairs for final approval.

"Buildings are the critical physical component of any downtown, so the condition of the façade of every building plays an important role in the overall appearance, quality and vitality of a downtown," Supervisor Venditto said. "When building facades are deteriorated or cluttered with signs, it sends a negative message about the state of the downtown. Improvement of facades enhances the visual appearance of the entire downtown, which is critical both to the success of individual businesses and to the economic health and vitality of the district as a whole.

"Since the adoption of the Oyster Bay Hamlet Plan, the town, community groups such as the Oyster Bay Main Street Association and dedicated individuals have been working hard to implement the recommendations of the plan. From informational kiosks, to the renovation of the parking lot behind the water district giving open access from the parking lot to Raynham Hall to the dramatic changes at the Western Waterfront, Oyster Bay hamlet is experiencing a revitalization. I encourage business owners to take advantage of this opportunity to obtain grant financing to improve the outside appearance of their buildings and help the revitalization keep its momentum," said the supervisor.

We concur. Great things are happening in Oyster Bay and it is a great time to get on the bandwagon and keep the momentum going! Congratulations to all the elected officials, local people and citizen groups that have worked so hard to help make things happen in the hamlet.