Falls Theatre, Little Falls
Falls Theatre in Little Falls received a $192,789 grant that was used for a complete restoration project.

Foundation Receives Grant for 5 Regional Main Street Projects

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The Initiative Foundation has been awarded a $500,000 grant from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED)’s Main Street Economic Revitalization Program to support improvement projects in Braham, Cass Lake, Isanti, Little Falls and Walker.

“Main streets are the hearts of our local communities,” said Brian Voerding, Initiative Foundation president. “This funding will support businesses as they remodel, build and repair. We’re proud to be partners in this project and deeply grateful to DEED and the Minnesota Legislature for making it possible.

DEED is delivering $6.2 million across Minnesota to nonprofit intermediary organizations. The Initiative Foundation’s $500,000 award will fund up to 30 percent matching grants for eligible projects. Businesses that apply for and receive funding can use the funds for property repair or renovation, building construction, landscaping and street scaping, demolition and site preparation, predesign and design, engineering, non-publicly owned infrastructure or related site amenities. Projects of up to $750,000 in total costs are eligible.

Each community will manage their own applications and decisions – business are encouraged to reach out to the contacts below to learn more. The Foundation will also have resources to offer stipends or extend contracts to qualified partners to reduce any barrier to participation. See below for contact information in each of the five communities.

“Main Street businesses are essential to local and regional economic growth. Through these grants, DEED is helping support economic revitalization that generates excitement among residents, community leaders and businesses around Minnesota,” said DEED Commissioner Matt Varilek. “Assistance provided through previous grant rounds helped create or retain thousands of jobs and sparked investment in key commercial corridors across the state.”

See the other Minnesota Main Street Economic Revitalization award recipients.

In 2023 and 2024, the Initiative Foundation, in partnership with DEED, awarded $4.3 million to Brainerd, Cold Spring, Little Falls, Long Prairie, Pine River and St. Cloud. The grants leveraged an estimated $47 million in hometown investments and improvements.

The Greater St. Cloud Development Center (GSDC) received $600,000 for projects in St. Cloud and Foley. St. Cloud and Foley businesses should contact GSDC for application information.

Contact information for the chosen communities:

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