Featured Stories
The Main Street Economic Revitalization Grant program supported over 70 businesses and led to the creation of over 300 jobs and 22 vacant storefronts are now occupied. The grant awards ranged from $5,000 to $500,000, with an average award of around $59,000.
Jack’s Bottle Shop
Because of its absolute uniqueness, Jack’s Bottle Shop, 909 6th St NW, is an established pillar of the Rochester beer (and by extension social) scene. That same uniqueness means the shop doesn’t often find itself fitting neatly into bullet points on an application.
The Landing
t’s hard to imagine a place in Rochester where a dollar’s impact can cause more positive ripples than The Landing, 426 3rd Ave SE. The organization was founded in 2018 to provide direct support to members of the Rochester community experiencing homelessness and has operated some iteration of a day center since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
Anderson Wheelchair
58 years. That’s how long Anderson Wheelchair, 1117 Second St SW, has provided mobility to residents and visitors to Med City. The shop sells, rents, customizes, and services mobility products.
Main Street Grant Co-designers
Dina Abo Sheasha
Amgad Hassan Elnaseih
Jose Torres Miller
Chad Poitra
Manasseh Kambaki
Tiffany Alexandria
Approved Grants
as of 9/21/23
| 1910 Fresh Mexican Kitchen | $15,000 |
| Anderson Wheelchair | $88,548 |
| ANK Property | $24,000 |
| Art Heads Emporium | $50,500 |
| Baheya, LLC | $4,100 |
| BGD5 Mall DBA: Galleria at University Square | $16,590 |
| Bonana, LLC DBA: Uni Uni Tea | $38,812 |
| Chabad of Southern Minnesota | $59,900 |
| City Walk, LLC | $500,000 |
| Eastwood Plaza | $9,000 |
| Everyday 365 Clothing, LLC | $4,500 |
| Gaming Bizaar, LLC | $3,000 |
| Guerin Studio, LLC | $3,510 |
| Healing Touch Spa, LLC | $35,000 |
| Hiro | $187,500 |
| Interiors By J.Curry, LLC | $1,220 |
| Ironton, LLC | $85,000 |
| Jack’s Bottle Shop | $15,000 |
| Kahler Inn & Suites | $15,000 |
| La Michoacana Purepecha 3, LLC | $52,500 |
| Low Income Fam Apartments (Parker) | $1,700 |
| Marrow Restaurant | $133,919 |
| Neighborly Group | $20,000 |
| New Spin Bicycle Shop | $32,090 |
| Nucleus RadioPharma | $150,000 |
| Orange Rose Distribution DBA: Popus Gourmet Popcorn | $25,500 |
| Pasquale and Friends | $7,500 |
| People’s Food Cooperative | $22,500 |
| Roasted Bliss, LLC | $181,500 |
| Rochester Art Center | $5,100 |
| Rowan International Grocery Store, LLC | $15,000 |
| Ryan Companies | $25,000 |
| Sargent’s on Second | $34,289 |
| Seto Bakery | $119,040 |
| Tap House | $45,000 |
| The Landing MN | $200,000 |
| The Well | $186,000 |
| Tinos, LLC | $48,000 |
| True Queens Boutique | $10,500 |
| Well Living Lab, Inc. | $10,000 |
| Wendland Utz | $26,355 |
| Zastrow Photography | $15,000 |
| Zumbro Lutheran Church | $6,000 |
| Zumbro Valley Health Center | $200,000 |
Frequently Asked Questions
- What was the Main Street Economic Revitalization Grant Program?
This was a state-funded initiative intended to provide grants for capital improvement projects in central business districts across the state.
Projects that resulted in improvements to any permanent structure or other asset added to a property that adds to its value were eligible. Business operations expenses were not eligible. Applicants needed to have other sources of funding to match any funds given by this program.
- Who administered the grant program in Rochester?
The grant was administered by Destination Medical Center Economic Development Agency located in downtown Rochester. The DMC EDA applied for and secured the grant award with the support of the City of Rochester and Rochester Area Economic Development Initiative (RAEDI).
Eligible projects must be within the approved areas.
- Who could apply for funding?
Any person or company planning to invest in eligible capital projects in the approved areas may apply. Priority was given to businesses and organizations that represent Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE), veteran, disabled, Black, Indigenous, or people of color whose projects built wealth, create jobs, and stabilize communities in the district.
- What investments were funded by the grant?
Capital investments, such as:
- Repair or renovation of property, including expansions and additions
- Demolition, site preparation, and building construction
- Landscaping, streetscaping and related site amenities
- Engineering, pre-design and design work
- Infrastructure
- What were the primary objectives of the grant?
- Revitalizing properties harmed by the events of the past two years.
- Elevating opportunities for BIPOC, veteran, Disadvantaged Business Enterprises, or disabled business and property owners.
- Creating and retaining permanent jobs.
- Enabling existing businesses to strengthen and diversify their products and services.
- What investments could NOT be funded by the grant?
The purchase of real estate is not eligible, nor are business operations or business operating expenses, such as inventory, wages, or working capital.
- How much was the DMC EDA’s grant award?
The DMC EDA distributed up to 3 million dollars in grants in the DMC District and approximately $950,000 in phase 2 (southeast Crossroads to Bear Creek, and the Northwest Design District and Northgate Area) with a minimum award of $3,000 and a maximum of $750,000 per award. These grant awards could cover up to 30% of the project cost. The remaining funds must come from other sources.
For example, a $100,000 capital project can be awarded up to $30,000 in Main Street Grant funds. The remaining balance must be funded through other sources.- What could be used for the matching funds?
Loans, equity, and local government funding not derived from state or federal sources can be used for the match.
- Who provided the grant funding?
Funding was provided by the State of Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development.
- Why did the State of Minnesota initiate this program?
The grant program was intended to help central business districts physically rebuild and reposition themselves in the face of a substantially changing downtown economy.