The Three Rivers Downtown Development Authority (DDA) could not afford to waste any time at its special meeting Thursday, June 27.  

Money available through R2 and American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grants needed to be awarded by Sunday, June 30, Board Chair Andrew George reminded his colleagues. The money needs to be spent by August 31, 2024, Three Rivers Economic Vitality Committee Chair Jenny Koski said later in the meeting. 

A 7-0 vote approved reimbursing $2,872.12 to Lowry’s Books, 22 N. Main St. in Three Rivers. The grant would primarily be used to replace an air conditioner unit, George said. Prior to appearing before the DDA, the request was recommended by the Economic Vitality Committee. 

“The AC unit that they are requesting does fall into the purview of the grant,” DDA Executive Director Cameron Mains said. 

Fixing the air conditioner is a permanent solution, George said. DDA board members learned that store owner Tom Lowry had completed the matching portion for the grant. 

A second 7-0 vote approved reimbursing $15,000 to Useless Creatures Brewing Company, 41 N. Main St. in Three Rivers. DDA board members discussed the likelihood of $15,000 in work being completed by August 31. 

“If you look at Useless Creatures from the front side, you notice that they have three buildings there,” George said. “They’ve got their main building and they’ve got the one to the right that they use. The one to the left of the main building, that’s got the construction paper in the windows and the flags, they want to expand into that. They already own it, but they want to expand into it and make it part of Useless Creatures.” 

Mains said the total project would cost $43,781.31, meaning Useless Creatures would make a private contribution of $28,781.31, or 66% of the total project cost.  

“The grant requires at least a 50% match from the applicant,” Mains said. 

According to Mains, Useless Creatures’ owners said they felt confident that necessary HVAC and framing work could be finished as soon as possible and by the August 31 deadline. 

After the votes, George said it felt good for two local businesses to “get some badly needed help downtown.” He also responded to comments at a Tuesday, June 18 meeting of the Three Rivers City Commission regarding downtown storefronts. 

“Forty-five of the 65 spaces on Main Street are occupied,” George said. “That’s a vacancy rate of 33%, not higher.” 

Frank Stanko is a staff writer with Watershed Voice.