Main Street Grants Pass asks city for startup funding, seeks $80,000 first year

Summary

Main Street Grants Pass requested city startup funding to staff and run downtown programming, proposing $80,000 in year one, rising to $100,000 by year three. Councilors pressed for details on use of public funds, membership-based benefits, and examples from other cities and directed staff to return with more information.

Main Street Grants Pass asked the Grants Pass City Council at a workshop to provide startup funding for a newly formed downtown nonprofit, proposing $80,000 in the first year, $90,000 in year two and $100,000 in year three to hire staff and run events and programs.

The request came during an informational presentation to the council in which Main Street leaders described recent wins — including a secured $400,000 rehabilitation grant for the historic King Jewelers building and an application for a $50,000 T‑Mobile beautification grant — and outlined a public‑private model they say will operate on a net‑zero revenue basis.

Supporters said the nonprofit will promote downtown businesses, coordinate events such as First Friday and the Downtown Cruise (formerly Back to the '50s), and run beautification projects including sidewalk pressure‑washing on G and H streets between Fourth and Seventh. Main Street representatives said much of the requested funding would cover staffing, outreach and…

Main Street Grants Pass asks city for startup funding, seeks $80,000 first year

Summary

Subscribe to keep reading