Your Business Belongs Downtown.
One factor in creating a vibrant and welcoming Downtown is the presence of a strong array of businesses that appeal to a wide variety of people and are owned by a diverse group of entrepreneurs. People make stronger, deeper connections to places when they see themselves and their own culture not only reflected but welcomed and enthusiastically integrated into the broader culture of Downtown.
To support the goal of creating a welcoming Downtown for all, expanding retail offerings and increase entrepreneurial opportunities for women and minority owned businesses DGRI launched the retail innovation grant program which support new Downtown retail-based businesses by paying 50% of their rent for 18 months.
In addition to attracting new businesses DGRI also launched a suite of grant programs designed to support existing businesses within Downtown that focus on marketing, activation and collaboration.
- Pop-Up Marketplace Grant: This sponsorship grant is designed to support businesses that organize events to increase foot traffic and drive sales or to organizers that want to feature incubator space for small businesses during their events.
- Collaborative Marketing Grant: This reimbursement grant is open to businesses that collaborate on marketing, branding and promotional efforts to enhance awareness of themselves and Downtown.
- Window Activation Grant: This seasonal reimbursement grant is open to all storefront businesses to enhance and activate their storefronts to market products, events and participate in DGRI’s annual World of Winter event.
- Lighting Window Grant: This pilot reimbursement program is open to select businesses Downtown to enhance their storefront with temporary lighting displays and fixtures to enhance their storefront space as well as increase the vibrancy and lighting near their shop.
Applications for these grant programs open July 1st; so, if you or someone you know envision opening a business Downtown visit DGRI’s support page for more information or reach out to DGRI’s Director of Operations, Melvin Eledge, at meledge@downtowngr.org.
