NORWICH – City officials, at this month’s Common Council meeting, authorized a joint application with the Business Improvement District Management Association (BIDMA) for the 2010 round of Main Street grant funding.

Through the New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR), the program previously awarded grant money to owners of downtown properties willing to pick up half the tab towards renovations and improvements, in an effort to revitalize the business district.

If the grant is awarded this year, however, owners will only be asked to foot 25 percent of the expenses, reported Planning and Community Development Specialist Todd Dreyer, who added that the total amount available through the grant has also increased from $200,000 per year to $500,000.

The city has previously received money through the grant program, $400,000 in its two successful applications, which, when matched by local property owners, equaled $800,000. If awarded, this year’s grant would nearly match that two-year figure, with $250,000 coming from local participants added to the $500,000 awarded through the program.