St. Cloud Economic Development Authority Readies for New Grant Round Application Period

(KNSI) — St. Cloud is getting ready to take applications for the second round of its Main Street Revitalization Program.

Economic Development Director Cathy Mehelich says they have $400,000 to dole out after the first of the year. The application period will be open for two months. “And really what they’d like to see is projects that will encourage and further generate investment in the downtown commercial corridor. They would also like to continue to look at projects that support small businesses.”

She says they want to support catalyst development projects and help fill vacant storefronts downtown. Funds will also give preference for projects that provide opportunities for minorities, women, veterans and other protected classes of entrepreneurs.

Mehelich says the grants can help get businesses growing. “That program can provide for up to 30% of capital improvements to the building within this downtown corridor boundary.”

The money came from the Minnesota Department of Economic Development and was administered by the Initiative Foundation.

In October, St. Cloud announced the first round of grants when they awarded $644,000 to five projects. The funds included $199,000 for the Cowboy Jacks rebuilding project, $199,000 for the Great River Children’s Museum, $132,000 was approved for the Harvest Square Event Center above Iron Street Distillery at 539 East St. Germaine Street, $60,000 for redeveloping the Mackerel Building and $54,000 for the Blue Goose Speakeasy inside Pioneer Place on Fifth.

___