First Community Bank says it is continuing to invest in Batesville’s downtown district in 2020.
In a media release, the bank says Dr. Doug and Laurie Gottschalk plan to open Stella’s Brick Oven Pizzeria and Bistro at 250 E. Main. The project is being financed by First Community Bank’s Downtown Batesville Loan and Grant Revitalization Program.
The pizzeria will offer an additional downtown dining experience with true Neapolitan style pizza, sandwiches, and salads, the release said.
“We are very pleased to be bringing Stella’s Brick Oven Pizzeria & Bistro to downtown Batesville,” said Laurie Gottschalk. “Of course, renovating a historic building and opening a business can be very expensive. First Community Bank’s Downtown Revitalization Loan Program helped make this project financially feasible.”
First Community Bank’s Downtown Revitalization Loan Program became available in December 2018. For this program, the bank has allocated up to $10 million dollars at a rate of prime minus .50 basis points, fixed for 5 years for property improvements of businesses in Batesville’s downtown district.
“First Community Bank has been investing in Main Street Batesville since the inception of our bank. We believe that a vibrant downtown is the core of every successful community,” said Dale Cole, chairman and CEO of First Community Bank. “We are vested in downtown Batesville and this community and are always pleased to be a financial partner in such progress.”
In addition to the bank’s loan program, a second initiative had an active 2019. The First Community Bank Revitalization Matching Grant Program matches dollar for dollar up to $2,500 for building improvements of any commercial business in Batesville’s downtown district.
During the past year, First Community Bank has approved grant applications for the following:
- Kristi Ketz, Landscaping additions to outdoor courtyard at AirBNB at 347 E. Main St.
- Sloan Construction, Reconstruction of original window frames and glass at 171 Central Ave.
- Danny Dozier, Floor and lighting improvements at 177 E. Main St.
- Etta’s Attic and Antiques, Update exterior treatments
- Paper Chase Book Store, HVAC updates for expansion
- Royal on Main, Front entrance and exterior redesign
- Autry’s Furniture, Entrance remodel, new signage, lighting and stair railing improvements to be added in 2020
Another notable enhancement that the bank made for Main Street is the “Sound of Downtown,” a carillon bell system at First Community’s downtown banking center located at 301 E. Main St. The bells ring on the hour and half-hour and will feature festive music throughout the holiday season. The electronic carillon or electronic chime is a 20th-century musical instrument in which the acoustical tone source—metal tubes, rods, or bars struck by hammers—is picked up electromagnetically or electrostatically and converted into electrical vibrations that are highly amplified and fed into loudspeakers placed in an exterior site.
To learn more or to apply for the special downtown Batesville programs, visit Robb Roberts at First Community Bank’s main bank location at 1325 Harrison St., or call him at (870) 612-3400 for all terms and conditions.
