When the Bayview Bridge closes for repairs next year, thousands of vehicles that normally travel over the highway bridge will instead be motoring through the streets of Sturgeon Bay.
To make sure the city is putting its best foot forward, the Sturgeon Bay Common Council recently approved setting aside $140,000 in the city's Revolving Loan Fund to create a Micro Loan Program for businesses along the detour route to make exterior facade and storefront improvements.
Bill Chaudoir, executive director of the Door County Economic Development Corporation, says the loan represents a nice opportunity for businesses to "spruce up" their look...
Chaudoir says the interest rate on the loan will be significantly below market rates, but not less than 1%. Eligible businesses must be physically located within one block of the official Department of Transportation detour route for STH 42/57.
Chaudoir says a lot of people who normally bypass Sturgeon Bay will instead be going right through it...
Work on the Bayview Bridge is currently scheduled for the spring and early summer of 2013.
According to the most recent DOT traffic count, conducted in 2009, an average of 12,700 vehicles a day use the Bayview Bridge.
Businesses interested in the storefront improvement loan can contact Chaudoir or Sam Perlman at 920-743-3113 or email bill@doorcountybusiness.com or sam@doorcountybusiness.com.
