Several Local Projects Receive Minnesota Main Street Revitalization Grant Funding

(KNSI) — Several local projects are getting funding from the Initiative Foundation in the first round of the Minnesota Main Street Revitalization grant.

In Cold Spring, KHK Properties is getting a $199,950 grant for the new construction of a chiropractor’s office and additional office space that will be put up for lease. Money will be used for landscaping, streetscaping and design and engineering. The Quarry Cinema will also be getting money to the tune of $46,364 to repair and renovate outdated and ineffective systems. RJS Enterprises is getting $60,000 to install plumbing, heating, ventilation, air conditioning, electrical systems and other renovations for an ice cream shop set to open in 2023.

Four projects in Little Falls also received funding. Community Development of Morrison County is getting $3,000 for replacement windows. First Avenue Advertising is getting a $12,232 grant for removing asbestos siding and installing new siding and windows. Little Falls Plumbing and Heating is getting $27,450 to replace its roofing. Purple Carrot Market is getting a $15,636 grant to install custom boilers and to prepare architectural and construction documents for a planned owner-member food cooperative.

Brainerd and Pine River also received money for this round. Long Prairie and St. Cloud are also in line to get funding for future projects.

The grants are part of $3.9 million for 13 projects supported by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development. DEED allocated $4.5 million to the Initiative Foundation for economic development opportunities around central Minnesota.

DEED’s Minnesota Main Street Revitalization Program provides 30 percent matching grants and guaranteed loans for economic and redevelopment needs that have arisen since the March 2020 onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Businesses must have or secure the remaining 70 percent of funding.

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