Monroe council approves Grow Monroe grants for Bursting Boba Cafe and Silver Lining

The Monroe City Council on Aug. 26 voted to award two downtown Grow Monroe incentive grants: $6,408.36 to Vidya Patel Mishra, owner of Bursting Boba Cafe at 206 North Haines Street, and $8,400 to Jennifer Hill, owner of Silver Lining at 208 North Main Street.

City staff said the Grow Monroe grants pair a square-foot formula with rent assistance. Donna O'Keefe, downtown manager, told council that Bursting Boba Cafe qualifies for a maximum of $7,616 based on 952 square feet but requested $6,408.36 in assistance to be paid in two installments after proof of full rent payment at the six- and 12-month marks. O'Keefe said the application had been reviewed by the Downtown Advisory Board, which recommended approval.

O'Keefe said Silver Lining, a long-running local business that relocated after its landlord put its former building up for sale, applied for $8,400 in grant assistance for a smaller 1,400-square-foot space at 208 North Main Street. The grant package included $330 toward a new sign and the remainder in rental assistance, also to be paid at six and 12 months subject to proof of timely rent payments. O'Keefe said the Downtown Advisory Board and staff recommended approval.

Council briefly questioned a clerical point about addresses listed in the grant agreement for Bursting Boba Cafe; O'Keefe said staff would confirm the correct address information before final execution. No members of the public signed up to speak for or against either application. Council moved, seconded and approved resolutions awarding the incentive agreements, authorizing the mayor to execute necessary documents and approving associated budget amendments.

The grant approvals authorize city staff to release funds under the Grow Monroe program per the payment schedule and proof-of-payment conditions described in the applications.