North Attleborough Storefront Grant Program Reshapes Downtown
Reshaping Downtown: North Attleborough’s Storefront Grant Program
Downtown North Attleborough is getting a facelift—but not from a major developer or corporate interest. This time, it’s the town itself stepping in to offer a helping hand to local businesses. Through a targeted storefront improvement grant program, North Attleborough is investing in the very image of its business district, hoping to give aging facades new life and attract more foot traffic back to the heart of town.
The program, funded through a combination of town economic development funds and Community Development Block Grants, provides matching dollars to small businesses seeking to spruce up their storefronts. That can include fresh paint, new signage, lighting, window upgrades, or even minor structural repairs that improve a building’s appearance. The goal? To create a more welcoming, vibrant downtown that draws in both residents and visitors alike.
Town officials say the grant was designed with accessibility in mind. Small businesses that might not otherwise have the capital to invest in visual improvements now have the opportunity to enhance their curb appeal without taking on excessive financial burden. And for North Attleborough, the payoff could be big. A more attractive downtown could stimulate increased commerce, support local jobs, and contribute to a stronger sense of community identity.
Several business owners have already applied or been approved for funding, and early signs of the program’s impact are visible on streets like North Washington and Elm. A bakery on one corner just received a fresh coat of paint and new awnings. A barbershop nearby has upgraded its windows and lighting, drawing in more walk-ins than before. And the town hopes these changes are only the beginning.
As more applications come in, North Attleborough’s storefront grant initiative may serve as a model for other small towns across Massachusetts looking to reinvest in their downtown cores. For now, it’s a bold statement of local pride—and a bet on the belief that small changes, block by block, can spark bigger transformation.
