Local entrepreneurs have taken advantage of a city grant program to open a new downtown coffee house, metaphysical shop, educational support outlet and legal services office.
With $6,000 left in undesignated grant funding, the City of Red Deer is offering another round of vacant spaces grants to help spur downtown development.
"The Vacant Spaces Grant is a subsidy program designed to incentivize the development of a unique, well-invested downtown where people and businesses thrive," states the city's website. Eligible projects must demonstrate benefit to Red Deer residents and get under way by Dec. 31.
Priority will be given to projects on 50 Avenue, between 48 and 53 Street, and 49 Street between 48 and 50 Avenue. All other locations must support goals outlined in the city’s Downtown Activation Playbook. These are based on boosting the economy, helping people and businesses thrive in the downtown, create more vibrancy. Examples of eligible projects could include retail, food and beverage, entertainment — such as independent bookstores, women’s boutiques, menswear, restaurants, convenience stores and arcades.
Grant applications are open until Aug. 15. Grant winners will be notified in early September. For more information, please visit reddeer.ca/vacantspaces.
Previous grant applications were given out to various new downtown businesses, including Kompass Education, McKenzie Legal Services, Curious Craft and Gift, Zainab Coffee House, and Rich and Grounded, a metaphysical retail shop.
