Storefront Improvement Grants now available for downtown Portage

Portage la Prairie's last city council meeting made the announcement that its Business Storefront Improvement Grant program is taking applications. 

Chair of City Planning and Economic Development Preston Meier says it's part of their strategic plan and it's all about giving back to the community.

"It's not only from a residential perspective, but from a business perspective," says Meier. "We partnered with the Chamber of Commerce in order to supply what we call a $15,000 total fund, or $3,000 per project, for any kind of storefront business improvement grant. The purpose of it is it tends to help business owners in Portage la Prairie, improve the face of their businesses by, of course, providing funds for exterior building updates and upgrades, in addition to improving the appearance of an individual building."

Councillor Preston Meier second from right

He explains the upgrades are expected to also contribute to overall business enhancement. Meier says applicants must be a small business or a nonprofit community organization, or cooperative, located in a public place within the Saskatchewan Ave. area, and two blocks North and South of the Avenue, or on Provincial Hwy. 240 within city limits. 

"The link is on our website," continues Meier. "The deadline is April 15. It is coming up relatively quickly. Successful applicants will be notified April 19 and then the projects must be completed by December 6. If you're looking to get an application, or if you have any questions, reach out to us or to the city, but you can certainly reach out to the Portage District Chamber of Commerce, or the City of Portage, to get that application."

He adds they're encouraging business owners to take advantage of this. 

Meier says that there is an increase available this year when compared with last year's grants. 

"The last number of years has been pretty much fully subscribed, which really encourages us that the business owners are taking advantage of the grant," notes Meier. "Before, it was a $2,000 limit with matching funds and a $10,000 total basket funding. Councillors have taken it upon themselves to increase that to $15,000, and $3000 in matching funds. So, $6,000 still can go a long way in today's world for a storefront or an improvement plan of some type. We certainly want to see it fully subscribed and get back into the business community."

He points out that if you're not within the downtown corridor, but you're just outside the boundary of the downtown corridor and areas described, they still encourage you to apply.  He says the areas mentioned are priority. But if money is left, they want to make sure that they expend those.