Published: November 03, 2009 10:00 am      

Things’ll be great when you’re downtown

By Becky Manley / Staff Writer

Before walking into Cottongim Pharmacy Thursday, a customer craned his neck to watch workers apply beige paint to the building.

It wasn’t the first time people traveling through downtown Corbin have stopped for a closer look at renovation projects, according to Sharae Myers, Main Street manager.

The work at the pharmacy is part of ongoing downtown improvements funded by two grants totaling $53,000 from TOUR Southern & Eastern Kentucky.

A dozen downtown businesses have been targeted for renovation work, Myers said.

In addition to drawing attention from passersby, Myers said the work has also riveted business owners.

“It’s been difficult to keep the business owners inside the store... because they are so thrilled with this opportunity,” Myers said.

Each project’s scope varies from smaller work, such as the new awnings that were installed at five businesses in August, to larger projects like the rehabilitation of the Reece Appliance building, Myers said.

The project at the pharmacy includes painting the exterior of the building and its window display area as well as the installation of awnings, stonework and new signs, Myers said.

Work at the pharmacy should be completed sometime this week, Myers said.

A dozen downtown businesses are slated for renovations, which Myers said will be completed before the May 2010 project deadline.

While the grants pay the entire cost for materials needed for the projects, Myers said labor costs require a local contribution. That local labor contribution has been satisfied by using inmate labor and through donations of money, equipment and supplies from local businesses.