HIGH Street businesses can still cash in on financial inducements on offer from Wodonga Council to improve appearances of their buildings with more than $100,000 remaining unspent.
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The scheme offering matching grants of up to $3000 for shopfront and accessibility improvements was launched two years ago with $150,000 placed on the table.
Twenty-one completed applications have been received and only $36,500 allocated to date.
A former florist shop is presently being updated as central Wodonga begins a resurgence following the recent re-opening of High Street after the final round of roadworks.
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Zumii Shoes owner Brad Lodding took advantage of the offer in relocating his business to another spot in the main street.
"The extra funding provided by council has allowed us to put extra dollars into our shop fitout and our customers are rapt with both inside and outside the store," he said.
"When council floated this idea of assisting traders or landlords to refurbish shop fronts, I thought it was an excellent idea," he said.
"There has often been criticism made by our community that High Street central has unattractive shops.
"As our main street rents are relatively low it has been more difficult for landlords to justify upgrading the buildings and this is a bold move by council to lend a hand.
"If ever there has been a time for Wodonga traders and shoppers to step up, it is now.
"Hopefully tenants have obtained some rent relief from their landlords over the difficult roadworks periods, but if they haven't then this type of work should offer some benefits."
LJ Colquhoun Dixon director Andrew Dixon, whose agency manages many High Street properties, agreed.
"It's been a great initiative on behalf of council," he said.
"A number of landlords have taken advantage of it and those who haven't should do so before it shuts off."
The fund is available to all businesses in the CBD works zone in recent years.
"Businesses were able to apply for up to $3000 of matching funds to undertake works including signage, facade works and more accessible entry ways," council chief executive Mark Dixon said.
"It was heavily promoted during business visits, the shopfronts held in High Street and in regular newsletters as well as being on the council's website.
"The fund was in response to feedback from traders during the earlier works."
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