Four north country nonprofits received $800,000 total from the state Main Street program to renovate downtown buildings, improve their facades and beautify their surroundings.

The Ogdensburg Growth Fund Development Corp. and Frontier Housing Corp., Dexter, received $200,000 each, while the Snow Belt Housing Co. Inc., Lowville, received $400,000 for two projects.

Jill E. Evans, Frontier executive director, said funds will be put into rehabilitating 14 residences, modernizing five building facades and sprucing up sidewalk areas in a three-block area of the village of Brownville's Main Street. The project, which falls between Washington and William streets, is estimated to cost $412,000.

"We're very excited to be working with the village of Brownville and the residents within that community on an area that is critical to that community's revitalization," Ms. Evans said.

She said she met with property owners in January about the proposed project.

"We're anticipating that the likelihood of demand for the funds may exceed the supply," she said of the positive response.

Matching funds will come mostly from owner contributions. The pot of money, Ms. Evans said, can be used for replacing siding, purchasing new windows and signs, painting, or removing fake facades or deteriorated building materials. Street improvements may include adding lights and flower pots, she said.

Snow Belt Housing proposed a $637,000 project in the village of Lowville that included renovating three residences, two businesses, one civic center and four building facades on both State Street and Shady Avenue. The work on State Street would be between the Mill Creek bridge and Dayan Street, while the work on Shady Avenue would be between State Street and the Town Hall Theater.

Matching funds would come from existing Community Development Block Grant awards as well as from property owners, the agency's proposal said.

Cheryl L. Shenkle-O'Neill, Snow Belt executive director, is on vacation and could not be reached for comment Thursday.

The agency also proposed a $423,475 project in the village of Croghan that would improve five residences, two businesses, two civic centers and four building facades on Route 812 from Convent Street to Mechanic Street.

Property owners will kick in matching funds, the proposal said.

Ogdensburg's development corporation proposed an $804,164 project to update six residences, five businesses and two building facades on Lake Street near the Oswegatchie River as well as the road's intersections with King and River streets.

Matching funds will come from the city's community development fund and owner contributions.

Kimberly R. DesChamp, Ogdensburg economic development program manager, could not be reached after hours for comment Thursday.