LAPLACE — Historic buildings in Garyville will receive a facelift through the recently initiated Place-Based Investment Loan Program.

The Garyville Timbermill Museum, the Garyville Bank Building and Fatty’s Restaurant will receive exterior renovations through the program. With a goal to encourage economic development and resilience, place-based investment loans offer support to small businesses and property owners in key corridors of St. John the Baptist Parish.

The Garyville Timbermill Museum Association recently received a $50,000 check to be used for exterior wood and porch repairs, window replacement and painting of the exterior siding at the Garyville Museum building.

GSB LLC received a check for $50,000 for exterior brick repair, window replacement, door replacement and courtyard improvements at the Garyville Bank building. GSB LLC received an additional $50,000 for exterior siding repair, addition of steps, door replacement and courtyard improvements at a nearby site.

A $15,900 check was presented to 186 Museum, LLC for column repair, siding replacement and window/door replacement at Fatty’s Restaurant in Garyville.

Donna Falgoust of Garyville has advocated for preservation through the Historic District Commission. She is happy to see the Place-Based Investment Loan make an impact in her community.

According to Falgoust, the Garyville Timbermill Museum recently received new signage bearing its historic name: Lyons Cypress Lumber Company. Since the change was made, several people have reached out on social media to share photos from when their parents and grandparents worked at the facility.

Falgoust said the $50,000 investment loan could be used to add a smaller sign, bathrooms and parking spaces to the facility.

“The only income the museum has is through the Sings and Strings Festival,” Falgoust said. “Our funds have been limited, so this gives them a big boost to do some really nice exterior things that we may not have been able to do for years had it not been for this project and this loan.”

Falgoust said the other three projects are located in the same vicinity and will have an equally positive impact.

“We’re really excited to have our Main Street renovated,” Falgoust said. “It’s the heart of the town, and I feel it brings so many people together. This keeps people coming to your town.”

Parish President Natalie Robottom said she was excited to present checks to four worthy projects to close out her time in office.

“Following years of investment in public projects, this program helps both property and business owners make much-needed improvements,” Robottom said. “I encourage citizens to apply for future rounds of projects as funds become available.”

The Place-Based Investment Loan Program offers 0 percent interest for targeted redevelopment projects that create a positive visual impact. Loan amounts range from $5,000 to $50,000, with up to 40 percent loan forgiveness.

The program is funded through repayments from the Hurricane Isaac CDBG Small Business Loan Program, according to St. John Parish Communications. It is managed as a collaboration of St. John Planning and Zoning, St. John Economic Development, and South Central Planning and Development Commission.

Eligible projects for the first round of program applications included façade improvements to commercial historic structures, replacement of dilapidated signs and installation of green infrastructure features in the Major Corridor Overlay and local historic districts.

The Major Corridor Overlay District includes Airline Highway (U.S. 61), Main Street (U.S. 51), Belle Terre Boulevard (LA 8188) and Woodland Drive. Historic Districts are located in LaPlace, Reserve, Garyville and the West Bank of St. John. The River Road Historic District encompasses Edgard, Lucy and Wallace.

For more information on the Place-Based Investment Loan Program, please visit sjbparish.com or contact the Planning and Zoning Department at 985-651-5565.

— News editor Brooke Robichaux contributed to this report.