06/10/2026
Shopping Local Helps Drive Growth in Homer
When residents choose to shop local, they do more than make a purchase - they help invest in the future of Homer. Studies show local businesses recirculate two to three times more money back into the community than national chain stores, helping strengthen the local economy and support jobs, revitalization, and community development.
Main Street Homer continues to work toward its mission to revitalize Homer through economic development, historic and cultural preservation, and advancement of the arts. Recent projects and grants are helping move that vision forward across downtown.
Through a $140,000 HRSP Paul Bruhn Historic Revitalization Grant, several downtown properties received funding for critical preservation projects, including roof and window repairs for Gray’s Jewelry, Nanapuddins, Michael’s Men’s Store, the Ford Museum, and Corner Cup Coffee.
Additional funding awarded to Main Street Homer includes:
• A $44,000 Louisiana Main Street Technical Assistance Grant to design the GBT Commons gateway park project on West Main Street
• A $90,000 Thriving Communities Grant to fund downtown traffic safety design improvements around the Homer Square
• A $50,000 Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality grant for downtown real estate development and promotion
Together, these projects are helping preserve the character of downtown Homer while creating new opportunities for local businesses, economic growth, and future community development.
Community members are encouraged to continue supporting local businesses and to stay involved as downtown Homer continues to grow and evolve.
