Paint available through WCI and Valspar for public beautification projects

Are you looking for a way to spruce up your community, neighborhood or park? West Central Initiative (WCI) may have a solution, thanks to Valspar's Minnesota Beautiful program. Through a continued collaborative effort with the Valspar Corporation, paint and coatings will be available in 2013 to communities and public organizations located in the west central Minnesota counties of Becker, Clay, Douglas, Grant, Otter Tail, Pope, Stevens, Traverse and Wilkin to complete a rehabilitation or restoration project.

Paint and other products, including stain and sealant, will be awarded for interior or exterior restoration or beautification projects that best meet the eligibility criteria. Selection will be based on the visual impact of the project, public benefit to the community, local volunteer participation and support, intended use of the building and benefit to those in need.

Projects that qualify include, but are not limited to, historic buildings, senior citizen or handicapped facilities, community centers, public buildings and murals. Projects that are ineligible for the Minnesota Beautiful program include denominational churches, schools, city maintenance or privately owned facilities. Projects outside of WCI's nine-county service area do not qualify.

Applications are due to WCI by March 4, 2013 and approved projects will be announced on or after March 25, 2013. The application may be downloaded at applications.wcif.org.

For more information on the Minnesota Beautiful program, please contact Greg Wagner at 1-800-735-2239 or greg@wcif.org.

West Central Initiative is a regional community foundation serving the nine west central Minnesota counties of Becker, Clay, Douglas, Grant, Otter Tail, Pope, Stevens, Traverse and Wilkin. WCI invests resources in our communities for regional success, using the tools of economic development and community development, and by promoting philanthropy.