Mount Vernon has announced a grant program worth $500,000 to support small businesses in the area as they recover from the effects of the pandemic. The goal is also to attract new stores to diversify the shopping experience in the city. Businesses can apply for grants of up to $25,000 each, with a preference given to those looking to fill vacant ground-floor spaces with a variety of offerings such as sporting goods shops, bookstores, florists, upscale boutiques, and more.
The focus is on attracting different types of commerce beyond the abundance of discount stores and personal-care businesses in the area. Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard emphasized the importance of incentivizing and supporting the growth of new businesses in Mount Vernon to keep local spending within the city. She highlighted that facade renovations and construction costs for both new and existing businesses will be covered by the grants, which are funded by the American Rescue Plan.
The main shopping district along 4th and Gramatan avenues from 3rd Street to Fleetwood will be the primary target for grant recipients. Applications for the program will be available on the city’s website starting on Tuesday and must be submitted by June 24. A team led by Robin Mack, the city’s director of business development, will review the applications and select the grant recipients by early August. Businesses will be scored based on their management practices and the innovation of their products and services, with an emphasis on maintaining Mount Vernon’s unique urban environment with a personalized shopping experience.
