Municipality earmarks $500K for downtown revitalization

PHOTO. RMWB staff members, along with Wood Buffalo Economic Development Corporation staff, visited 175 downtown businesses to spread awareness of the incentives program.

Over $500,000 has been earmarked by the municipality for grants relating to downtown revitalization.

The grants come from the Downtown Revitalization Incentives Program, which has a total budget of $5-million.

Through the program, business and commercial property owners can apply for four 50 per cent reimbursement grants.

Those grants are:

• Up to $75,000 or $100,000 to improve building exteriors or façades (depending on the building type).
• Up to $50,000 to upgrade the interiors of existing buildings (for eligible projects).
• Up to $10,000 to construct new patios or upgrade existing patios.
• Up to $5,000 to install beautification projects and up to $30,000 to install murals.

The deadline for applications is Dec. 31 and applicants can request an extension up to Aug. 31, 2021 for construction completion.

Before applying, business owners are encouraged to schedule a pre-application meeting before Nov. 27.

Since the launch of the Downtown Revitalization Incentives Program, 11 downtown business and property owners have received grants.

You can help make the program better by providing feedback.