(Estherville) Estherville homeowners will have another year to take advantage of a city program helping pay for exterior home improvements. The City Council has renewed the Neighborhood Facade Grant program, which has been offered for the past five years. The program provides matching grants of up to four-thousand dollars for eligible exterior projects on owner-occupied or rental properties. Applications are typically due by November 15th, with funding awarded to the ten best projects. The grants can help with projects such as siding, painting and other exterior improvements, but do not cover sidewalks, driveways or landscaping. City Administrator Penny Clayton says the program not only improves the appearance of neighborhoods but also helps preserve Estherville’s existing housing stock. The program is funded through local option sales tax revenue and administered by EXCEL Estherville.
