Good morning,
In 2018, the Marquette Downtown Development Authority (MDDA) received a Façade Restoration Initiative Grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) in the amount of $300,000. The MDDA Board of Directors also contributed matching funds of $30,000 toward the program. Combined, this $330,000 in funding is designed to assist downtown property owners in making impactful improvements to their building façades.
Since that time, we have partnered with nine property owners to make dramatic building transformations, leveraging approximately $719,000 of investment into downtown properties! After the initial round of projects in 2019/2020, we are pleased to announce that limited grant funds remain available, allowing us to hold a second competitive round of applications at this time.
The Downtown Façade Improvement Grant Program provides financial assistance in the form of a reimbursable grant after work is completed. Grant funding requires a minimum 1:1 match, which means the MDDA/MEDC will contribute up to 50% of total project costs while the applicant is responsible for the remaining balance. To be eligible for grant funding, façade projects must meet a minimum of $10,000 in total costs ($5,000 MDDA grant award/$5,000 applicant contribution). The maximum grant reimbursement is $30,000. All projects must be completed and reimbursed no later than September 30, 2021.
Linked here
is an informational brochure, a copy of the Downtown Façade Improvement Grant Program Guidelines, and the grant application. The application deadline is Wednesday, July 1, 2020.
Sincerely,
Rebecca Salmon
Executive Director
Marquette Downtown Development Authority
(906) 228-9475
