In just over six months, a Downtown Development Authority grant program has paved the way for 17 businesses to relocate, update or change and improve in some way.
Last June, the DDA set aside $40,000 for businesses to be reimbursed for moving expenses, refurbishing costs, facade changes and more. The money comes from the taxes that are captured from businesses located in the DDA district.
Another $40,000 was allocated for this fiscal year, and there's about $15,000 left to spend, probably enough for three more businesses, says Brandon Wescott, director of the Wyandotte DDA.
"Our vacancy rate has gone down… Prices for downtown space has become more affordable. If you see what these businesses are doing, how they're changing some of these places, it's really great," Wescott says.
The businesses that have moved into Wyandotte or improved their current digs include Angelina's Mexican restaurant, Total Health Foods and Riverside Yarn Gallery.
Westcott says he and city officials have decided to extend the grants to restaurants interested in opening sidewalk cafes.
"Anything that can increase foot traffic, invite people downtown," he says. "That's what we want to see more of."
Source: Brandon Wescott, director Wyandotte Downtown Development Authority
Writer: Kim North Shine
Enjoy this story?
Sign up for free solutions-based reporting in your inbox each week.