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BID Offers Grants to New Businesses

By Ashlie Rodriguez

Story Created: Feb 7, 2012 at 8:59 PM MDT

Story Updated: Feb 8, 2012 at 11:33 AM MDT

When Becky Hughes took over the Brighten Up Shop on Central Avenue downtown, she thought it could some repairs.

“We wanted to put some insulation in the walls,” Hughes said. “We did put in new lighting – we wanted quite a bit of color in here.”

Costing a total of “$10,000,” Hughes said.

Which is no small price for a business owner. But she knew exactly where she could get some help.

“The BID was fantastic,” Hughes said.

Becky turned to the Great Falls Business Improvement District which will give grants to new businesses opening up shop in the downtown area.

“Our grants are meant to not intimidate people,” said Joan Redeen of the Great Falls Business District. “Where most folks can be intimidated by the thought of a grant, our grants are very simple.”

The BID gives facade grants to help with exteriors, residential grants for property owners, and interior improvement grants like the one Becky received.

“I turned it in on like a Monday,” Hughes said, “and by Thursday they had called and told me I was going to receive a grant.”

The BID covered 30% of Becky's improvements or about $3000 dollars.

“These buildings are older and they need some upkeep and some maintenance and some things like that,” Redeen said. “So if we can help make that happen for a business…”

They will. They've already given grants to downtown businesses like Public Drug, Hastings Apartments and a grant for Stockman Bank is on the table now.

“We’re trying to help folks get started in business,” Redeen said. “And we’re trying to help them keep their costs down.”

The applications are about three pages long and the BID board reviews them once a month.

“You just tell them exactly what you’re going to do and that was it,” Hughes said.

And for a short time they're even offering a business incentive grant that will pay for the first months rent if a 6 month lease is signed.

“They walked me through the process, told me exactly what I needed, and when it was done and over with, and the grant was approved, she called me immediately,” Hughes said.

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