Northeast Minneapolis Chamber receives $42,500 grant

July 2, 2013 - PRLog -- MINNEAPOLIS (July 2, 2013) -- The Northeast Minneapolis Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce it has received a $42,500 Great Streets Façade Improvement administration contract from the City of Minneapolis. This grant will help businesses in Northeast Minneapolis fund storefront improvements in order to create a coordinated streetscape and maintain a vibrant business district.

The Northeast Chamber has been a recipient of this grant for the past two years and has distributed funds to more than a dozen businesses in the Northeast community. The grants fund storefront improvements such as repairing or replacing architectural details; preserving historic details; painting or repainting exteriors; installing windows and glass doors; lighting; awnings or canopies; and signage. For more information on eligible projects, visit www.minneapolischamber.org/facades.

Funds are distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis to businesses in the following geographic areas or “nodes” (maps of exact areas are available):

·         22nd and Johnson

·         29th and Johnson

·         37th and Central

·         Central Avenue Business District/Central Ave. NE (University – 8^th St.)

·         East Hennepin Activity District

·         Lowry and Marshall

·         Lowry and University

·         13^th and University

·         Grain Belt Complex

To be considered, eligible businesses are to apply by the first of each month beginning July 2013 until funds are disbursed.  To ensure an equitable distribution of grants, decisions will be based on eligible activities, eligible address, overall impact on the property, size of the project, façade design guidelines, and curb appeal. A committee will review each application and recommend grant awards.  Decisions will be announced on or as close to the 15^th of the month as possible.

For more information on the grant program, the eligibility requirements or the application process, please visit www.minneapolischamber.org/facades.

About the Façade Improvement Program

The City’s Façade Improvement Matching Grant Program works to improve the economic vitality of the city’s commercial districts through public/private investments in façade projects for commercial properties. Funds disbursed to community organizations help guide façade projects toward architecturally and historically sensitive improvements that are attractive and functional.

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The Northeast Minneapolis Chamber of Commerce is an affiliate of the Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce, which was founded in 1881 and works to create strong partnerships to unite and grow member businesses in the Twin Cities. The Chamber serves 1,400 businesses in the 11-county metro area and focuses on public policy, economic development and member services. More information about the Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce is available at www.minneapolischamber.org.