Sharon receives $400,000 grant to spruce up homes
Photo 
Diana Dykstra
SHARON — Everybody knows that it's what's inside that counts.
But it doesn't hurt if your outside looks good, too.
Last week, village of Sharon officials announced they received a $400,000 community development block grant from the federal government to spruce up homes in their community.
"The village has been trying to obtain this type of grant for 20 years," said Diana Dykstra, village president. "We always had a median income that was too high."
In the past year, however, the village's foundry shut its doors. That along with other economic factors has lead to more than 17 foreclosures in the tiny town.
The grant will create a revolving loan fund that will let low to moderate income residents borrow money for weatherization, lead paint abatement, roof repairs, windows and other health and safety issues. The zero-percent interest loans allow for deferred payments until the home is sold or the residents no longer live in it.
Village officials have been struggling to attract businesses and they want the village to "look as good as it could," Dykstra said.
The downtown area has been spruced up with new street lamps and other cosmetic changes, she said. Also, Sharon is full of beautiful old homes—including one of the few remaining octagon houses in the country.
Dykstra believes the improvements will affect the whole community.
"We are so excited about what this is going to do for us," she said.
Loan applications, which will go through a committee, will be available in March.
For more information, call City Hall at (262) 736-4888.
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Feb 2, 2012 at 7:43 p.m.
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What do you call the BP Gas Station on School Street? It's in Sharon. Grants do not get repaid - Loans get repaid you need to learn the difference between the two -- I will admit I don't know where the grant money comes from that the Government gives to the villages and towns that get it - but what difference does that make? If you live in Sharon and I'm guess you do by your comments - why on earth would you not want to help fix up run down buildings to improve your village and attract more people? You so-called Logic (and I say so-called because it's NOT logic) is amusing. Have a great night
Feb 1, 2012 at 1:55 p.m.
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I suppose the government gets the money for the grant from the money fairy?
Feb 1, 2012 at 1:45 p.m.
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oh and by the way -- Grant means it's GIVEN to the Village by the Federal Government no less - doesn't get paid back by the Village or the residents in their taxes - nobody is taking your tax money to fix other people's houses - they are getting money from the Government to LOAN to people with loan interest in whatever form your Village ends up charging that comes back to your Village to help you as a resident.....By the by -- I don't live in Sharon I just live in Walworth County.
Feb 1, 2012 at 1:40 p.m.
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I don't know why people would be angry or make nasty comments about this. This program is similar to that offered by Walworth County thru Community Action. I myself benefitted from one of these homes in the township - was able to get a loan to remodel things in my home that were safety issues and I only pay it back if I sell my house, or change title. It doesn't accrue daily interest like a regular loan either; I only pay a $500 flat fee when paying it back. Wake up people - this is to help you not hurt you -- your Village seems like it cares for its residents and how it looks; don't you??? It only improves your property if others improve theirs! You should say thank you to your Village management for working hard to get this Federal money -- I'm told it's not easy to get! -- especially with a Governor in charge who's returning all kinds of money to the Federal Government - we're lucky they're giving Wisconsin towns/villages/counties ANYTHiNG!
Feb 1, 2012 at 12:41 p.m.
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Oh good. The government gives my taxes to other people to fix up their houses, which leaves me with less money to fix up mine.
I'm just steamin'...
Feb 1, 2012 at 10:50 a.m.
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Congratulations to the village of Sharon. You've now become poor enough to collect welfare. Who says the american dream is dead!
Feb 1, 2012 at 7:52 a.m.
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And Gov. Walker won't sent the money back to Washington? I thought our state didn't want to get its hands dirty with money confiscated from the job creators.
Jan 31, 2012 at 6:11 p.m.
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So we should be happy our tax money is coming back to the area ?? Though it's a loan, I don't want to know what the overall cost is for this program.
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