Main Street Matters: Business Improvement Grants

Main Street Matters: Business Improvement Grants

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development
Amount: Up to US $100,000
Last Updated: August 05, 2025

Summary

The Main Street Matters program aims to enhance downtown areas and neighborhoods through targeted investment in revitalization and safety improvements. Eligible entities, including local governments and nonprofits, can access grants for business enhancement initiatives, which may include microgrants and forgivable loans. These funds support capital investments and operational costs for businesses, contributing to vibrant community development. The initiative emphasizes strategic planning and documented demand for funding, ensuring effective use of resources.

Overview

Main Street Matters Overview The Main Street Matters (MSM) program is designed to support our downtown cores and surrounding neighborhoods with tools to create healthy, vibrant, and welcoming communities. Funding is available to support revitalization efforts in planning, business support, aesthetic improvements, and the increase of safety and security. Communities may wish to consider designation through the MSM program as a Main Street or Elm Street. Designation is an opportunity for targeted investment and development including the identification of specific needs for investment and/or development and the design and implementation of a strategy to address those needs. Uses A flexible tool for use in community and economic development for a variety of uses including planning activities, façade grant programs, business improvement grant programs, accessible housing programs, and district development grants. Eligibility Units of local government (counties, cities, boroughs, townships, towns, and home rule municipalities)Redevelopment and/or housing authoritiesNonprofit organizations to include economic development organizations, housing corporations, etc.Community development corporationsBusiness improvement districts, neighborhood improvement districts, downtown improvement districts, and similar organizations incorporated as authorities Eligible Uses of Funds C. Business Improvement Grants Activities Business Improvement Grants are available to stimulate private business investment and better enable business attraction, retention, and expansion in the defined target area of a downtown or neighborhood. Grants funds will be awarded to an eligible applicant to support a local program providing microgrants and/or forgivable microloans. Microgrants may be used by established businesses for capital purchases; structural or interior improvements; hardware, software, and connectivity upgrades; and professional marketing and promotions activities. Microloans may be used by established or new small businesses for capital purchases; structural or interior improvements; hardware, software, and connectivity upgrades; professional marketing and promotions activities; and operating expenses. Microloans may also be used by businesses for employee salaries and benefits, operations costs including rent or mortgage assistance, utility bills, inventory, consumable supplies, or fees to secure other financing. Funding Requirements and Limitations a. Business Improvement Grants may not exceed $100,000, unless the applicant demonstrates:i. an interest in additional funding; andii. a great need and a reasonable plan to expend funds within the anticipated grant contract activity period; andiii. DCED determines that additional funds are warranted.b. A dollar-for-dollar match is required for the business improvement grant. Grant requests from designated Main and Elm Street programs should refer to the MSM Main and Elm Street Match Requirements outlined in Appendix I.c. Applicants must provide documented demand for business improvement grant funding to include the names, addresses, estimated project costs, and type of funding (microgrant/loan) for interested parties in the target area.d. Microgrant funds for each eligible business may not exceed $5,000.e. Forgivable microloan funds for each eligible business may not exceed $25,000.f. Microgrant funds may not be used for salaries/benefits, operations costs including rent or mortgage, utility bills, inventory, consumable supplies, or fees to secure other financing.g. Labor provided by the owner of the property and/or proprietor of the business is not an eligible cost for microgrants or forgivable microloans.h. Applicants must provide, at the time of application, guidelines and procedures for the local business improvement program to include, at a minimum:i. Established program boundaries – Consideration should be given to the number of properties that can be assisted within the targeted area.ii. Defined eligible applicants and activities – This should address policies regarding ownership and discuss policies for rented or leased properties and intended local use of microgrant and forgivable loan funding. Eligible work activities must be specified and, at a minimum, meet the requirements established by the MSM guidelines.iii. Policies and procedures – A clearly outlined, step-by-step application, review, and fund disbursement process should be included. The guidelines should have written policies to rely on if disputes arise. All necessary forms and contract documents should be provided. Applications which include a forgivable microloan component for local business assistance programs must also include information on how the loan fund is to be administered, including all information required in Appendix II – Administration of Revolving and Forgivable Loan Funds.

Eligibility

We've imported the main document for this grant to give you an overview. You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website.