Downtown restaurant taps loan program

DIXON - Salamandra Restaurant is the latest downtown business to take advantage of infrequently used loan programs offered through the city and Dixon Main Street Inc. Both programs offer low-interest loans to those who want to make improvements to their downtown buildings' exteriors. The city's Facade Loan Program and the Main Street Loan Program each offer borrowers up to $25,000, but can be used in conjunction for twice that amount, said Main Street's Glen Hughes, who worked to combine the two similar programs. Main Street's program, started in 1996, was "hit or miss" and not well promoted, Hughes said. Two years ago, Main Street and the city joined forces to "keep the program alive." "The city's facade program appeared to be complementar