DIXON – Downtown business owners soon may have more incentive to spruce up their exteriors: Dixon Main Street is proposing utilizing money from the central business district tax-increment financing fund to provide facade grants.

The program, if OK’d by the City Council, would start with $20,000 to $50,000 in the pot. Businesses would apply for up to $5,000 in funds they must match.

There is about $400,000 in the TIF fund, according to Shawn Ortgiesen, city engineer and director of public works. Of that, $275,000 is designated to the city’s loan fund, meaning $125,000 is available.