SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY — The County of San Luis Obispo is continuing its beautification grant for fiscal year 2019-2020. Local nonprofit groups and public agencies are invited to apply for grants to fund one-time projects that will enhance the cultural, environmental, recreational, or historical resources in San Luis Obispo County’s unincorporated areas. Applications are due Thursday, March 19. Eligible projects may include trails, public art, benches or decorative landscaping.
District 1 Supervisor John Pechong said that in the past, the grant has worked to benefit some of the smaller unincorporated areas such as Shandon and San Miguel. In 2018, Creston received $13,200 to improve its community center.
“It gives them access to some money that they can use to do some things in their community,” Peschong said.
As with the previous year, the County Board of Supervisors allocated $90,000 for the grant program with a minimum award of $5,000. According to County officials, applications should include specific details about the proposed project and its overall budget, with a focus on the outcome and its benefit to the community in unincorporated areas of the County. Applicants are encouraged to propose projects that preserve the assets and enhance the beauty of our unincorporated communities. Funds will not be used to pay for insurance or ongoing maintenance projects.
County staff and the County’s Tourism Business Improvement District plan to work together to review the applications. After review, the County of Board Supervisor will decide how to divvy up the available funds. Agencies and organizations with approved projects will receive an agreement with terms and conditions for signature.
Last year, the County awarded grants to seven of the nine proposed projects. The approved projects included a native habitat restoration project in San Simeon, a new renovation of the entryway to Rios Caledonia Adobe, repair and upgrade of the Mission Street sidewalk gardens in San Miguel, creation of art to be placed around Oceano, and renovations to the Maggetti House in Cambria.
For more information, visit slocounty.ca.gov and search for “Beautification Infrastructure Grant.”
