Main Street Gardnerville shows off kiosk, offers loans

Even though beautifying downtown Gardnerville is a slow, deliberate process, members of Main Street Gardnerville had something to show for their efforts Friday.

The design committee of the nonprofit revitalization organization held a ribbon cutting ceremony for their new information kiosk at the corner of Highway 395 and Eddy Street.

Carol Sandmeier, vice chairwoman of the organization, began the ceremony by thanking those who were responsible for making the kiosk a reality: former Town Manager Jim Park, Martha O'Neill for the design, current Town Manager Tom Dallaire for his engineering skills, Mike Plut and Jeff Summers, the Main Street Gardnerville design committee volunteers and the Gardnerville Town Board. O'Neill did the honors of cutting the ceremonial ribbon.

The kiosk is provided free of charge for advertising special events, sales and promotions, and to encourage visitors to downtown Gardnerville. Space reservations for the kiosk may be made at the town office at 1407 Highway 395 during regular business hours.

For a copy of the kiosk policy agreement or for further information, contact 782-8027 or info@mainstreetgardnerville.org.

Public projects are only part of the beautification equation. Main Street's revolving loan fund is available for qualified downtown businesses.

Business owners who would like to renovate their facilities, expand their operations, or do something else that improves their business and the downtown atmosphere may be eligible for below-market-rate loans.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development has funded the program with $56,000; each loan is not to exceed $10,000 and will be at an interest rate of 4 percent. Business owners' information will be kept confidential and presented only to members of the Main Street Gardnerville loan committee, which is made up of representatives from local banking institutions, and to the loan committee liaison.

Loans are available in amounts from $1,500-$10,000. Repayment is 1-5 years, and there is no pre-payment penalty.

Eligible uses include signs and awnings, remodeling or rehabilitation of the interior or exterior of a building, purchase of additional equipment or fixtures, purchase of additional inventory, working capital, business expansion, and leveraging with other grants, such as energy conservation grants.

For more information, contact Main Street Gardnerville at 782-8027 or info@mainstreetgardnerville.org.