ENTERPRISE, Ala. — According to the City of Enterprise, nearly 30 downtown businesses have installed new decorative blade signs through the Main Street Alabama Grant Program, giving the historic district a fresh new look while making businesses easier for visitors to find.
Main Street Enterprise received a $20,000 grant to help fund the project. The funding allowed businesses to install new awning-mounted or wall-mounted blade signs featuring their business names or logos. The rectangular and oval signs extend outward from storefronts, making them more visible to pedestrians while adding visual interest throughout downtown.
“These new blade signs do much more than identify our local businesses—they create a more welcoming, walkable and vibrant downtown experience,” said Lily McDaniel, executive director of Main Street Enterprise. “When visitors can easily spot shops and restaurants as they stroll down Main Street, they’re more likely to explore, discover new businesses and spend more time downtown. This project enhances the unique character of our historic district while supporting the merchants who make it such a special destination.”
Enterprise Mayor William E. Cooper said the project reflects the city’s continued commitment to investing in downtown and supporting local businesses.
“Downtown is the heart of our community, and investments like these help ensure it remains a place where businesses can thrive and people want to gather,” Cooper said.
“Supporting our downtown businesses is an investment in the future of Enterprise. Improvements like these enhance the character of our historic district, encourage people to explore our local shops and restaurants, and build on the momentum of our ongoing downtown revitalization efforts.”
The project follows an ordinance adopted by the Enterprise City Council on Dec. 2, 2025, establishing regulations for blade signs within the city. A blade sign is mounted perpendicular to the face of a building, making it easier for pedestrians walking along sidewalks to see. The ordinance also sets standards for construction, size, design and placement, including a minimum vertical clearance of 8 feet above sidewalks.
City officials said properly designed blade signs improve the visibility of local businesses, encourage pedestrian-friendly development and support ongoing downtown revitalization efforts.
In addition to the blade sign project, grant funding also paid for a new entrance sign at The Nook, one of downtown Enterprise’s community gathering spaces.
Originally developed through a partnership between the Main Street Enterprise Design Committee and the Young Main Street Committee, The Nook transformed a small Enterprise Public Library parking lot into a welcoming public space and the home of Main Street Enterprise’s Small Box Shop business incubator.
Today, The Nook serves as a year-round gathering place for residents and visitors and hosts community events throughout the year, including the Spring Festival, Boll Weevil Fall Festival, Whoville Celebration and the popular Nook at Night concert series.
According to the city, the blade sign project reflects Main Street Enterprise’s continued commitment to strengthening downtown through improvements that support local businesses while enhancing the experience for residents and visitors alike.
