Rockland Approves $90,000 for Local Business Improvements

Seven businesses to receive funding for exterior upgrades through Sign and Facade Grant Program

ROCKLAND, MA - November 19 - Rockland's Select Board has approved $90,000 in grants to seven local businesses for exterior improvements as part of the town's Sign and Facade Grant Program. The initiative, launched in spring 2024, aims to enhance the appearance of businesses along Union Street and boost economic development in the area.

The program, funded through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), attracted nine applicants, with seven receiving awards. Successful applicants include Anita Marie's, Mayflower Tax and Insurance, Rockland Convenience, KMR Beauty Bar, John's Barber Shop, Corner Pizza, and Rockland Athletics.

"I'm excited to see what happens along that corridor," said Courtney Bjorgaard, Assistant Town Administrator during the November 19 Select Board meeting. "We're going to continue to focus on some additional projects down there."

Eligible projects under the grant program include business signage, window and door replacements, ADA accessibility improvements, awning replacements, and exterior painting. The primary criterion for approval was that improvements must be visible to the public from Union Street.

While the maximum grant amount was set at $30,000 per business, no single applicant received the full amount. Bjorgaard explained, "We wanted to make sure that we made the biggest impact possible and make sure that we could support as many of the projects as we could."

Grant recipients are required to complete their projects within one year and submit before-and-after photographs along with information on how the improvements have impacted their businesses.

The Sign and Facade Grant Program marks a significant investment in Rockland's business community. However, its future remains uncertain. "I don't anticipate that it will be annual," Bjorgaard said. "It all depends on a funding source for it."

In other business, the Select Board addressed two upcoming special elections scheduled for Jan. 25, 2025. Residents will vote on a district wide ballot for the South Shore Regional Vocational Technical School building project and a separate debt exclusion to fund Rockland’s share of that building project.

Town Clerk Liza Landy requested the board's approval to opt out of vote-by-mail requirements for the local election, citing the need to align with the regional election process. "The rules are completely different," Landy explained. "Out of the nine communities, so far I'm only aware of two communities, us and another community, who are participating in a municipal election at the same time."

The board unanimously approved the opt-out request and appointed election staff and police officers for the Jan. 25 special election.

Looking ahead, the Select Board discussed the Rockland Fire Station building project, which will be presented at the town meeting in May, and have a debt exclusion ballot vote in April. Both votes must pass for the project to move forward.

"We're also working on sharing additional information," Bjorgaard said. "There is also a video on the town's website with Fire Chief Scott Duffy and [Town Administrator Doug Lapp] just kind of talking about the project as a whole, giving us a small tour of the site."

The Select Board encouraged residents to reach out to Chief Duffy with any questions about the fire station project.

As the meeting concluded, board members reminded residents of the upcoming holiday stroll on Nov. 30, organized by the Rockland Recreation Department. The event will feature a beer garden, pending approval of a one-day liquor license.

The board also highlighted the Rockland Memorial Library's ongoing coat drive, collecting winter coats through Nov. 23 and distributing them to residents in need through Jan. 5.