Business

This grant is not longer available but the benefits of it are still ever present in the downtown Willmar business community. 

Goal of the grant

The Main Street Revitalization Program targeted small towns with big ideas! Improvements to businesses and main streets provide a benefit to entire communities. As the hub of Kandiyohi County, downtown Willmar serves as a regional center for restaurants, entertainment, shops, grocery stores and more. The revitalization boundary area for the program was downtown Willmar and along Business Highway 71 North. Applications were due April 7, 2023. The EDC received 38 applications and each applicant received 50-75% of the amount requested. Grantees have until June 2024 to start a project and they must be completed by June 2026.

What projects qualified?

The grant program funded up to 30% of a project with the remaining 70% of the project costs being available via cash or loans.

Eligible projects were those that would take place on the premises of the business and included renovation or improvement projects. These could include:

  • Repair, or renovation of real property (including projects such as roof replacement/repair, interior cosmetic upgrades, onsite signage, mechanical upgrades, etc.)
  • Building construction
  • Landscaping and streetscaping
  • Demolition and site preparation
  • Predesign and design
  • Engineering
  • Infrastructure
  • Related site amenities

Ineligible grant activities included working capital, inventory or non-permanent fixtures such as shelving, tables, seating, etc.  

If you have questions on the grant you received or how the program worked, call or email the EDC at [email protected] or (320) 235-7370 or Scott Marquardt of the Southwest Initiative Foundation at [email protected]

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