SLC Grant Program Boosts Neighborhood Business Districts
06.01.2010 by Elizabeth Ziegler
(KCPW News) Grant money is available for Salt Lake City’s business districts for a variety of projects, intended to promote or beautify the roughly 20 different neighborhood districts in the capital city. Salt Lake City Economic Development Director Bob Farrington says the city council recently approved a total of $10,000 to be awarded to applicants in $2,000 grants.
“It’s a modest amount of money but for small businesses, I think anything right now is viewed as being helpful and supported,” Farrington says.
Business districts must match the grant amount before receiving the award. Farrington says the city wants them to determine what their needs are. Some business districts are well known, like 9th and 9th and 15th and 15th. Other up and coming neighborhood districts include parts of State Street and North Temple. And Farrington says these districts will be using the funding for a wide variety of projects.
“Some areas are looking at using some of the money for how to become organized, maybe in a little more formalized way,” Farrington says. “Others are looking at marketing, promotions, websites. Others are thinking about maybe some beautification: bike racks, flower planters, that sort of thing.”
Funding for the grant program came from surplus money in the current year’s budget. Eligible business districts must be registered as a non-profit with the state, and contain at least five businesses, among other stipulations.
Click here for more information on the program.
