There are some encouraging signs in one eastern Kentucky downtown community that is in the process of revitalization. Discover Downtown Middlesboro officials hope it is just the beginning.

Any revitalization effort requires money, and this is no exception. But a lot of hard work by local officials, and help from four local banks, is paving the way for local business owners who envision great things for Middlesboro's future.

With just a walk down Cumberland Avenue in downtown Middlesboro, you will notice some buildings are showing their age.

"It's demolition by neglect, and that's what's happening to some of them, and we really want to stop that because Middlesboro is a unique town," says Larry Grandey, owner of World Wide Gap.

Grandey is now making his 1920s building in downtown not only his home, but also the home of his telecommunications business, along with apartments for others. But breathing life into older structures can cost a lot. Just the inside paint job cost thousands of dollars. But Grandey saved thousands of dollars thanks to downtown revitalization grants.

"When they look at it they don't believe it's in downtown Middlesboro," says Grandey.

And now, Discover Downtown Middlesboro is getting the help from four local banks, who are making one million dollars of loan money available for interested businesses.

"For property owners who have come to me asking what can I do, what can I do, how can I do it ... now we can send them to one of the four banks and say you can get a low cost loan, and borrow some money to renovate your building, and it's a lot easier to do it that way," says Joshua Wilkey, Discover Downtown Middlesboro Chairman.

Officials say with new downtown businesses already thriving, the extra help is simply a blueprint for more success.

And Discover Downtown Middlesboro officials have applied to officially become a certified main street community. If approved, that will make even more grant money available for downtown businesses.