BY JOHN REED LEADER EDITOR
KNOX — After several local businesses said they wanted in on the popular sidewalk replacement program, the city has set up a fund just to help them.
For years, Knox has offered residents a 50-50 plan to replace  sidewalks. The resident pays half the cost, the city the other half.

A contractor, who is chosen through a bidding process, does the actual work. The program is offered on a first-come, first-served basis, and there’s a limit on how much the city will spend, usually $10,000.
Last week, the city council approved setting up a $10,000 fund just for businesses. Money will come out of the city’s Economic Development Incentive Tax (EDIT) funds.
Here’s how the program works: The city will pay 50 percent of the cost of material and labor for sidewalk replacement, subject to the following conditions:
• The mayor’s office (574-772-4553) will receive requests for business sidewalk replacements until all available funds are used on a first come-first served basis and until monies to support this program run out.
• The street superintendent will measure and inspect the request and approve or disapprove the work order.
• After the bid is awarded to a contractor, the property owner will be notified of the cost and must pay 50 percent to the city before construction will begin.
The property owner’s share must be paid within 14 days of notification for the project to continue. If not, the project will be placed on the bottom of the work schedule.
• Upon completion of work, the street superintendent will make a final inspection and approve payment to the contractor. Applications must be dated and received by 4 p.m. April 17. The residential sidewalk program works the same way and has the same deadline, April 17. Mayor Rick Chambers said the goal is to begin pouring cement on May 4.