Members of the Beeville Economic Improvement Corporation board of directors will entertain requests from businesses interested in grants to help pay for facade improvements when they meet at City Hall at 5:30 p.m. Thursday.

The program, initiated by the EIC about a year ago, provides 50 percent matches for business front improvements, up to $6,000.

EIC board members are expected to consider requests for grants from Fuller Tractor Co., Anytime Fitness Center, Silva’s Insurance, Business Express and Saenz Western Wear.

EIC board members voted to offer the assistance to local businesses after a similar program, initiated by the Beeville Main Street Program, proved highly popular.

The Main Street Program facade grants were funded by money generated by the Beeville Tax Increment Finance District.

Money from the EIC program is available to businesses located outside the downtown area and those funds come from the city’s half-cent sales tax for economic development efforts.

Board members also are expected to discuss and possibly approve an extension of the facade grant program.

Also, board President Jody Alaniz probably will appoint subcommittees to study and make recommendations on other requests for facade grants from B-Paleteria, Blant Miller, CPA and Cloverleaf Printing.

The board is expected to discuss and possibly approve a budget for the 2009-10 fiscal year and to consider a request for $5,000 in funds for the Main Street Program.

That request is in addition to an earlier request for $20,000 intended to help fund the Main Street effort.