Times Observer file photo A state grant-to-loan totaling $183,025 will aim to help a developer cover the costs of making the former Brick House on Liberty St. warm, safe and dry.

The City of Warren has secured over $230,000 in state grant funds for two downtown initiatives.

The funding comes from the Keystone Communities Program and awards were announced on Tuesday. Funding includes $183,025 awarded as a grant-to-loan to DewBoi Property LLC for the rehabilitation of the former Brick House on Liberty St. while $50,000 will replenish the city’s facade funding program. Kassie Damcott, Department of Public Works secretary, said the funds for the Brick House would be facilitated through the RDA.

“(We) had to apply with a project in mind,” she said. The overall Wendelboe Hotel project has state Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program funds committed to it so going after these funds, she added, was a way to “isolate a property he could use just this grant for.”

“It’ll go towards helping to secure the building,” Acting City Manager Mike Holtz said, making it “warm, safe and dry…. It’s a good start in that direction.”

Damcott said that the developer “already had a plan” for the building without the grant. “This will help him.”

The $50,000 award for facade improvements will continue a program most recently funded by the city’s Redevelopment Authority.

Program guidelines included grants up to $5,000 with a dollar-for-dollar match. In theory, this funding could allow for an additional 10 projects.

Director of Codes and Planning Randy Rossey said these funds can be used city-wide as long as a property is in a commercial zoning district.

“We have some potential projects in the hopper,” Holtz said.

Rossey detailed that part of the application was soliciting interest. He said the funding timeline should come to fruition late spring to allow applicants to undertake projects in the summer building season.

These two projects were part of a 51-project, $8 million award.

“The funding provided through the Keystone Communities Program supports towns and cities with initiatives that work to create growth and stability in their neighborhoods while encouraging partnerships between the public and private sectors,” Gov. Tom Wolf said in making the announcements.

“These projects will build stronger communities, attract new residents and businesses, and boost the commonwealth’s economy.”