The Gloucester Main Street Preservation Trust announced that it is continuing its facade grant program for Gloucester’s Main Street this year. MSPT executive director Jenny Crittenden said grants will be awarded to property owners for improving their buildings and sites along the commercial core of Gloucester’s Main Street. The grant is a 50/50 match.

Deadline for businesses to apply is 5 p.m. on Friday, March 8. Late applications will not be accepted.

This will be the third year of the façade program, Crittenden said, which has a $20,000 maximum one business can receive in the matching funds program.

"We’re excited to be able to continue this program and look forward to more visually rewarding results that will yield more dollars for the downtown businesses," Crittenden said.

"It’s no secret that improving the storefront of your business increases revenue inside the business," she said, adding that "façade grant programs are used on many...