YOUNGSTOWN — The city’s design review committee approved proposals from two companies to make exterior improvements — a required step in the process to get grants from Youngstown’s new facade program to help defray the costs of the work.

The committee Tuesday approved facade improvement proposals from Yosteria, a restaurant at 252 Valley St., and Rainbow Restoration of Youngstown, a water restoration service at 116 Linden Ave.

The companies are the first ones seeking money from the city’s new business facade program to go in front of the city committee for approval for exterior work.

Getting committee approval for the exterior work is required under the city’s business facade program created in December before being eligible for grants, said Nikki Posterli, the city’s director of community planning and economic development and the mayor’s chief of staff.

The city put $1 million of its American Rescue Plan money into the facade program and allows each company to seek up to $20,000 to help pay for the cost of the exterior improvements.

Yosteria and Rainbow Restoration are seeking the maximum $20,000 with Yosteria’s total project cost being $46,500 while Rainbow’s is $63,000, Posterli said.

Yosteria relocated its business in July 2021 to a 111-year-old building in the city’s Smoky Hollow neighborhood.

It is open only on Fridays and this Friday is the last day it will be open for a couple of months while the improvements — including to the interior — are made. The business plans to expand its menu when it reopens.

The work includes a full renovation including window replacements, work to the soffit, fascia and trim as well as sidewalk and walkway replacements, and improvements to the front porch and the parking area.

Rainbow Restoration, also known as Whan Holdings LLC, plans to paint the building, replace two windows, repaving the existing parking lot and pave a location for a new parking lot.

The company, which has been in Youngstown for about 70 years, plans to hire three to five new employees, said Rachael Ames of Rainbow Restoration.