Revitalizing Mount Vernon’s Main Shopping District: A New $500,000 Grant Program for Small Businesses
The city of Mount Vernon is launching a new grant program worth $500,000 to support small businesses in the area as they recover from the effects of the pandemic. The program aims to attract new stores and diversify the shopping experience in the city. Businesses can apply for grants of up to $25,000 each, with priority given to those looking to fill vacant ground-floor spaces with a variety of offerings such as sporting goods shops, bookstores, florists, upscale boutiques, and more.
Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard emphasized the importance of incentivizing and supporting the growth of new businesses in Mount Vernon to keep local spending within the city. The focus is on attracting different types of commerce beyond the abundance of discount stores and personal-care businesses in the area. Facade renovations and construction costs for both new and existing businesses will be covered by the grants, which are funded by the American Rescue Plan.
The primary target for grant recipients is the main shopping district along 4th and Gramatan avenues from 3rd Street to Fleetwood. Applications for the program will be available on the city’s website starting on Tuesday and must be submitted by June 24. A team led by Robin Mack, Mount Vernon’s director of business development, will review applications and select grant recipients by early August. Businesses will be scored based on their management practices and innovation in their products or services while maintaining Mount Vernon’s unique urban environment with a personalized shopping experience.
