Blog

Colville Together is thrilled to announce the recipients of the fifth annual Façade & Building Improvement Grant, a key initiative aimed at revitalizing and preserving the heart of downtown Colville! This year’s response was nothing short of incredible, showcasing the community’s unwavering dedication to enhancing the historic charm and vibrancy of our beloved downtown district.

Colville Together proudly awarded reimbursable grants to three outstanding projects that will make a lasting impact on our downtown landscape:

·        The Old Bank Building – Façade repair and painting ($3,000)

·        Alpine Theater – Restoration of marquee and neon ($1,500)

·        Barmans Building – Storefront painting ($1,500)

Administered by Colville Together’s Design Committee, the Façade & Building Improvement Grant program is designed to make revitalization efforts accessible, creative, and community driven. Grants of up to $5,000 help business and property owners invest in improvements that preserve, restore, and maintain downtown buildings, ensuring that Colville’s rich history and small-town charm continue to shine.

“This program is about more than just beautification—it’s about investing in the future of downtown Colville,” said Rosemary Shaw, Executive Director of Colville Together. “Thanks to the Main Street Tax Credit Incentive Program, we’re able to support projects that strengthen our community, honor our past, and build a more vibrant future. We are incredibly grateful for this program through Washington State Main Street to bring funding to Colville and the passion of our local property owners to preserve their buildings!”

The Façade & Building Improvement Grant is available to property owners within the Colville Together focus area, spanning from 3rd Ave to Birch Ave and Wynne St to Oak St.

Colville Together extends a heartfelt thank you to the property owners who continue to work to improve Colville’s downtown and to contributors to the Main Street Tax Credit Incentive Program (MSTCIP), whose generous contributions make this initiative possible. Contributors to the MSTCIP receive a 75% tax credit on their B&O taxes as well as the joy of seeing their invested funds working in their community. 

Want to learn more or apply for next year’s grant? Visit colvilletogether.org or contact us at 509.550.8420.

For more information about the projects and programs above, check out these links:

Façade & Building Improvement Grant

Invest in Colville!

4th Fridays @Crossroads

Make a Difference

Colville Together is excited to announce the opening of applications for the 2025 Facade & Building Improvement Grant. This grant, offered by Colville Together, aims to enhance the beauty of downtown Colville, preserve the historic streetscape, and make revitalization efforts affordable, creative, and community based.

Grant Details

The Façade & Building Improvement Grant, administered by the Colville Together Design Committee, provides an opportunity for building owners within the Colville Together focus area (3rd Ave to Birch Ave and Wynne St to Oak St) to apply for grants of up to $5,000. The grant supports beautification projects and building improvements that help owners maintain or repair their downtown buildings. Any project that is permanent can qualify for the grant. 

Application Process

Building owners interested in revitalizing their properties within the designated focus area are encouraged to apply for the Facade & Building Improvement Grant. Applications and program guidelines can be found on the Colville Together website at www.colvilletogether.org . The Colville Together Design Committee will assess eligibility and need based on all received applications.

Main Street Tax Credit Incentive Program Support

The success of the Facade & Building Improvement Grant program is indebted to the generous support of contributors through the Main Street Tax Credit Incentive Program. This program allows local businesses to contribute to Colville Together and receive a 75% tax credit on their B&O taxes the following year. In the past three years, Colville Together has helped nine building owners make improvements to their downtown properties, with reimbursable grants totaling $24,000.

Learn More and Apply

To learn more about the Facade & Building Improvement Grant program, its guidelines, and the application process, visit colvilletogether.org. Completed applications must be submitted by February 21st. After this date, the grant application period will be closed.

About Colville Together:

Colville Together is a non-profit organization committed to the revitalization and enhancement of downtown Colville. Collaborating with local businesses, government entities, and community members. Colville Together strives to create a vibrant downtown environment that fosters economic growth and community pride.

Colville, WA — Colville Together is excited to announce the return of the Annual Shop Small Colville Event, inviting the community to come out and support our local businesses on Saturday, November 30, 2024. As we head into the holiday season, Colville Together is rallying the community to shop local and support the small businesses that bring character, uniqueness, and warmth to our town.

This annual event, held in conjunction with Small Business Saturday, celebrates the hardworking entrepreneurs who have dedicated themselves to Colville’s economic and social vitality. Shoppers are encouraged to explore a wide range of locally owned stores, offering special discounts, one-of-a-kind finds, and personalized service.

This year’s event also includes the traditional Passport Program, designed to enhance the shopping experience and add a fun twist to the day. Shoppers can pick up a “Shop Small Passport” at in Heritage Court at the Colville Together booth. Then collect stamps with each purchase and enter completed passports for a chance to win prizes from local stores. This program adds an exciting incentive to explore more stores and make meaningful purchases from a wide range of local shops.

“Shopping locally is about more than just making a purchase; it’s an investment in our friends, families, and neighbors who run these businesses and contribute to the community we cherish,” said Nikole Morrison, volunteer for Colville Together, and former small business owner. “These are the people who know us by name, who support local causes, and who work tirelessly to make Colville a better place. By choosing to shop small, we’re helping our community thrive through these uncertain times.”

Local businesses are facing unique challenges this year. Many are still navigating the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and current inflation pressures make it even harder to stay afloat. Colville Together’s Shop Small Colville Event serves as a reminder of the vital role these small businesses play in our lives and how a single day of local shopping can make a difference for these entrepreneurs and their families.

Event Details:

• Date: Saturday, November 30, 2024
• Time – 11am to 2pm
• Location: Heritage Court and Participating businesses throughout Colville
• Highlights: Exclusive deals, in-store events, holiday gifts, and more!

Colville Together invites everyone to join in making November 30 a day to remember. By shopping small, we can help ensure Colville’s unique small businesses thrive.

At the Washington State Main Street Program’s annual Excellence on Main awards ceremony, Colville Together was honored with the Places for People Award for its Heritage Court reinvigoration project.

Operated by the nonprofit Washington Trust for Historic Preservation in conjunction with the Washington State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation, the Washington State Main Street Program helps communities across the state revitalize the economy, appearance, and image of their downtown districts. Today, the Washington State Main Street Program encompasses a network of more than 70 towns and cities across Washington, including Colville.

Every year, as a cornerstone event of the annual PLACES Conference, the Washington State Main Street Program hosts the Excellence on Main awards ceremony, honoring projects and individuals whose hard work and innovative efforts are making a difference in their communities and beyond. This year’s 2024 Excellence on Main award winners were announced on Thursday, October 17 at the Gesa Power House Theatre, during the PLACES Conference held October 16-18 in Walla Walla.

The Places for People Award is an award that recognizes projects that create inclusive spaces and invite community engagement year-round. Colville Together has been named the 2024 Places for People Award recipient for its recent efforts to reinvigorate Heritage Court as a community hub.

Located in the heart of downtown Colville, Heritage Court had seen various improvements over the years but remained underutilized. Colville Together joined forces with the City of Colville, Tri County Economic Development District, and the Colville Chamber of Commerce to change that. They programmed the space with local artists, music, and businesses on Fourth Fridays during the summer months. In addition to inviting the community to spend time downtown, these events centered local food and art entrepreneurs, as well as brick-and-mortar businesses nearby.

Artist Chris Bovey was commissioned to create a Colville postcard mural on the main wall of the gathering space, creatively depicting aspects of Colville’s culture and heritage in each letter. To make Heritage Court inviting year-round, shade umbrellas were installed to combat heat and propane heaters to extend comfort into the cooler months. Free wi-fi made the space digital-friendly, appealing to all generations. Elementary students created ornaments to adorn Heritage Court’s new holiday tree. Throughout the transformation of the space, resources—funding, partners, and volunteers—were sought, including a successful $50,000 T-Mobile Hometown Grant which made many of the physical improvements possible.

“With their continuous, incremental touch on Heritage Court, Colville didn’t just activate an underutilized space—they brought their community together by creating a vibrant, inclusive community hub,” noted Washington State Main Street Program Director Breanne Durham at the Excellence on Main ceremony. Durham personally presented the Places for People Award to Colville Together Executive Director Rosemary Shaw and board member Shelly Stevens, who were in attendance at the awards ceremony.

The Washington State Main Street Program applauds this year’s award winners and the impacts they have made in their communities. For more photos of the award winners and of the PLACES Conference overall, visit preservewa.org/places2024-album.

About the Washington State Main Street Program:

Since 1984, the Washington State Main Street Program has been helping communities revitalize the economy, appearance, and image of their downtown commercial districts using the successful Main Street Approach®. For more information, visit the Washington Trust’s website at preservewa.org/mainstreet.

This Friday, October 25th, during Colville’s annual Moonlight Madness, we’re inviting all pumpkin enthusiasts to bring their best carved creations to Heritage Court for a chance to win fun prizes! Whether you’re 6 or 60, it’s time to show off your pumpkin-carving skills.

Drop off your masterpiece between 4:00 PM and 5:45 PM, and stick around because the judging kicks off at 6:00 PM. We’ll have categories for every age group:

• Youth (6 and under)
• Youth (7-12)
• Youth (13-18)
• Adult

Not only will your pumpkin be part of a glowing pumpkin patch in Heritage Court, but you’ll also have a chance to take home some prizes! And the best part? You don’t need to be present to win—just drop it off and we’ll take care of the rest.

Once the pumpkins are judged, they’ll light up Heritage Court during the night, adding to the festive glow of Moonlight Madness. Whether you choose to leave your pumpkin with us or come back to take it home, all unclaimed pumpkins will be donated to spread Halloween spirit around town as decorations.

So sharpen your carving tools and get ready to light up Moonlight Madness with your creativity! Let’s make this year’s event the spookiest yet! 🌕🎃

Colville Together is excited to team up with the Northeast Washington Association of Realtors, Rotary Club of Colville, and the Colville Chamber of Commerce for our annual Clean Up Day on October 12th! This is your chance to roll up your sleeves and help keep our beloved downtown looking its best as we prepare for winter.

Volunteers of all ages are welcome to join us! We’ll be meeting at Heritage Court at 10 AM, where you’ll receive your task for the day. From trimming the plantings at Main and Astor to sweeping sidewalks and gathering rocks around tree roots, there’s something for everyone. We’ll focus on tidying up the area from Wynn Street to Oak Street and Birch Ave to 3rd Street.

This community event happens twice a year, and it’s always a joy to see the amazing turnout. We love seeing familiar faces from Colville High School’s Interact Club, the Rotary Club, business owners, and other dedicated volunteers. This year, we’re especially thrilled to welcome nearly 50 volunteers from the Church of Latter-Day Saints! It’s incredible to see everyone—whether they’re 7 or 70—coming together to show their pride for Colville.

All you need to bring are gloves, a rake or broom, a 5-gallon bucket for rocks and weeds, and any tools you think might help. Colville Together will provide garbage bags, some tools, and snacks to keep you going. We’ve even got lunch covered, thanks to Stevens County Title and Escrow sponsoring food from The Pour House, and Westside Pizza donating a few pies to share.

So, mark your calendar, grab your gear, and let’s make downtown Colville shine! It’s a great way to connect with others, have some fun, and show your love for our community. See you there!

Colville Together, a community-driven organization dedicated to the enhancement and revitalization of Downtown Colville, is excited to announce an open call for proposals from local artists for the creation of enchanting murals. The initiative aims to infuse the downtown area with artistic expression, fostering a sense of community pride and vibrancy.

Local artists are invited to submit proposals for the opportunity to contribute to the transformation of various locations in Downtown Colville. Colville Together encourages artists to consider the unique characteristics of each location and the distinct essence of the Colville community while developing their mural concepts.

“We believe that public art plays a crucial role in building a sense of community and enhancing the cultural fabric of our city,” said Jamie Thompson, Design Committee Member of Colville Together and local artist. “By inviting local artists to showcase their talent through murals, we aim to create a more dynamic, welcoming, and visually appealing space that reflects the diversity and creativity of our community.”

Colville Together envisions a downtown decorated with a variety of murals. The organization is eager to see proposals that contribute to the overall goal of making Downtown Colville a more vibrant, welcoming, and visually inspiring place. The positive impact of murals on communities is well-documented, with benefits ranging from aesthetic enhancements to economic boosts. Murals can serve as a catalyst for community engagement, bringing people together to appreciate and celebrate local art. Additionally, public art projects like these contribute to the beautification of urban spaces, creating a more inviting environment for businesses and residents alike.

Colville Together encourages artists to think outside the box and explore themes that resonate with the Colville community. The selected murals will not only beautify the area but also contribute to the cultural identity and spirit of Downtown Colville.

Submission Guidelines: 1. Interested artists can find detailed submission guidelines on the Colville Together website. 2. Proposals should consider the unique characteristics of the chosen location and align with the overall goal of creating a vibrant, dynamic space. 3. The submission deadline is March 15^th, and selected artists will be notified by April 8^th.

Colville Together looks forward to the transformational impact that these murals will bring to Downtown Colville, turning it into a canvas of local creativity for all to enjoy.