Business and property owners in any Covington County historic downtown area are invited to a downtown revitalization workshop on June 8.

Sponsored by the Covington County Historical Society and the Andalusia Downtown Revitalization Authority, the event will feature speakers from the state historical commission and city DRA who will “give ideas” on how to renovate and revitalize a downtown business, said Sue Bass Wilson, CCHS president and DRA board member.

“About 20 to 25 years ago, we were shown what our downtown could become,” Bass said. “It was before the square (was revitalized) and it showed us before and after pictures of store fronts in other historic districts. It got us motivated to do the first step in our project – the square.

“It just got us so excited to see what needed to be done here,” she said.

Bass said now current business and property owners will have the same opportunity.

“It’s one thing to go places and see things and bring those ideas back,” she said. “Now, they are bringing those ideas to us to help inspire us to continue the movement.”

The tax incentive coordinator from the AHC will also discuss tax credits and incentives for revitalizing one’s property; grant information will also be given on both a local and state level; and a discussion on the Secretary of Interior’s Standards and Guidelines for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings will be held.

This meeting is open to current or prospective downtown building owners and tenants in Andalusia, Opp, Florala, Red Level and River Falls.

The meeting will be held June 8 at 5:30 p.m. in the Andalusia City Hall auditorium.