Second Main Street Revitalization Application Round Open

(KNSI) — The St. Cloud Economic Development Authority meets Tuesday with the Main Street Revitalization Program in focus.

The grant awards are offered in conjunction with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development and the Initiative Foundation. The EDA helps to select finalists that then go before a panel making the ultimate selections.

A second application round is now open, running until March 9th. For the first set of grants, the region received $4.5 million for central Minnesota economic development opportunities. The program provides a 30 percent match and guaranteed loans for economic development. Businesses must have or secure the remaining 70% of funding.

Last month, the Initiative Foundation announced the Great River Children’s Museum is receiving $199,000 to renovate the former Liberty Bank Building into its future home. The total cost of the project is around $7.28 million. The foundation also dedicated $131,643 to Harvester Square, LLC, to remodel a 96-year-old building. The Iron Street Distillery is now open on East Saint Germain. An attached wedding and conference hall will open this summer. The renovation is expected to cost $438,809.

Several projects were also announced recently for Little Falls and Cold Spring.

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