(Press Staff Photo by Geoffrey Plant)
Dave Smith of Diamond Dave Services preps the exterior of the Diana Ingalls Leyba Studio and Gallery on Bullard Street ahead of a new coat of paint Monday. Smith’s company, J&J Signs and other contractors are benefiting from a local small business assistance program primarily designed to help downtown businesses make improvements that they otherwise might not be able to afford.
Folks who regularly visit downtown Silver City may have noticed a trend over the past year: new signs popping up on the spiffed-up exteriors of businesses.
Javalina Coffee House, Birdwell’s Vintage Vibes, Lotus Center and the Gila Gallery were among 22 businesses last year that received awards of between $500 and $2,500 through the COVID-19 Small Business Assistance Program, and put the money toward coats of paint, lighting, new signs and other improvements.