EMPORIUM — The Cameron County Commissioners approved a finalized budget of $7,772,539.85 with no tax increase for 2017.

The commissioners said they were able to cut costs by $245,000 as compared to last year, and were able to fund the county for the coming year without upping the 20.5 mill general tax rate.

Commissioner Lori Reed was cautiously optimistic concerning the budget, saying the county’s costs staying at the anticipated levels would depend on state funding that would actually be granted to counties down the road. All three commissioners praised department heads for looking into different ways to keep costs down.

In other news, grant money is being sought to help fund a program to spruce up businesses in Emporium Borough.

Cameron County’s Industrial Development Authority is applying for a grant through the state Department of Community and Economic Development Keystone Communities to assist the Sylvan Heritage Council with a façade improvement program.

The DCED grant requires 50 percent matching funds, with 25 percent coming from funds being raised by Sylvan Heritage and committed by local entities, and the other 25 percent from the business owner. Project funding would total $46,000, with $23,000 being requested from DCED.

So far, more than $4,000 has been pledged by Emporium Borough and $1,000 from the IDA. Sylvan Heritage has requested an additional $6,000 from the county. The commissioners are reviewing the request and available funding, and plan to make a determination at the beginning of January.

“There is definitely a demand for this program,” said Chrissy Slusarick of the Sylvan Heritage Council. “We’ve had ongoing façade improvements over the last ten years.”

Ed Nolder’s Barber Shop, Cappy’s Clothes, the River 98.9, the Knights of Columbus Club and a number of other business in town have benefitted from the program. In some projects, only new signage was installed. In others, painting and repair work has been included. Each project is different, and requires a different amount of funding. The program is expected to benefit at least five businesses, depending on what work the applicants are looking to complete.

IDA Director Cliff Clark said the grant mandates that bids for work must be competitive with three bids or solicitations per project to ensure the work is being done for a reasonable price. Businesses will pay up-front costs and will be reimbursed by the IDA following completion. Commissioner Jim Thomas was afraid the turn-around time for reimbursement would be lengthy due to funding coming from the state, but Clark said the IDA will have the funds on-hand and will be able to make a disbursement almost immediately.

Any business within the borough is welcome to apply, with priority to be given to businesses along East and West Fourth Street and East Allegany Avenue. Applications are being accepted through Jan. 10.

Four businesses have already expressed an interest in participating, and three downtown buildings are currently working with Sylvan Heritage on façade projects.

Also, the commissioners approved a bid of $1 entered by Emporium Borough to purchase a property currently held in the tax repository, continuing the trend of combating blight across Cameron County. The home at 235 West Fifth St. has been vacant for a decade, and is slated for demolition once purchased. Approval is still needed from the Cameron County School Board. Clark said the demolition could be put up for bid as early as January.

A loan was approved in the amount of $14,062 from the IDA to Crowell Machining. Approval is contingent on the county having a first lien on the equipment and personal guarantees from the businesses’ owners.