The Gloucester Main Street Preservation Trust announced eight businesses and property owners as recipients of the 2014 Interior Grant Awards.

MSPT executive director Jenny Crittenden said the grant awards total nearly $40,000—the designated maximum total amount for the grants. This is the second year for the program.

The program targets the business/commercial corridor along Gloucester’s Main Street from Main Street Center to the court circle, Crittenden said. The program offers a 50 percent match for those seeking to do work in the two categories: tenant improvements and merchandising assistance.

The cap on the match for the tenant improvements is $10,000, Crittenden said, while the cap on the merchandising assistance category is $2,500.

Tenant improvements could include flooring, lighting, windows, interior painting, plumbing, electrical, and heating/ventilation/air conditioning. Crittenden added that the merchandising assistance grant is meant to help with interior d...