PIQUA, OH — The City of Piqua has officially concluded its Small Business Grant Program, marking the occasion with the completion of exterior improvements at Submarine House, a new addition to the city’s downtown restaurant scene.
Submarine House, located at 311 N. Main St., celebrated its grand opening on June 16. The popular Dayton-based chain utilized the city’s matching grant to fund several upgrades to its new space, including fresh signage, exterior painting, new doors, and enhancements to the patio area. In line with the program’s structure, the business matched the grant with its own investment.
“The improvements at Submarine House represent exactly what this program was intended to accomplish — supporting small businesses while enhancing the overall functionality and attractiveness of the buildings they occupy,” said Chris Schmiesing, the City of Piqua’s economic development director. “We’re proud of our local businesses and very much appreciate the positive impact they have on the community.”
Launched in 2022, the Small Business Grant Program aimed to stimulate private investment and improve the visual appeal and long-term viability of local business properties. The program offered increasing grant amounts based on owner contributions.
Over the course of the program, more than $498,000 was awarded to help 23 local businesses complete a variety of improvement projects. These included façade renovations, window and door replacements, interior updates, mechanical upgrades, roof repairs, and new signage installations.
With the completion of the Submarine House project, the program has officially come to a close. However, the City of Piqua continues to offer support for local entrepreneurs through revolving loan funds and additional development incentives.
To learn more about ongoing economic development programs, visit: piquaoh.gov/1629/Economic-Development.
Photo Courtesy of: Doug Fosnight
