Downtown BIZ grant program gets $2.5M federal boost

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This article was published 11/11/2022 (1276 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Downtown Winnipeg BIZ Building Business Grant program got a $2.5 million federal boost Thursday.

Federal minister Dan Vandal, who oversees Prairies Economic Development Canada, announced the funding that partially reimburses eligible companies for renovating or expanding their downtown locations, or for opening a new workspace in the city’s core.

Those who submit bills to the Downtown Winnipeg BIZ for exterior or interior changes, including painting and signage, could get 50 per cent of their money back.

The program also covers business development expenses, including outsourced marketing or accounting, up to 75 per cent.

“At this point, I feel like 50 per cent is a pretty big deal,” said Deborah Na, adding she’s put off renovations of her family’s Vaughan Street convenience store because of financial constraints. “(This) is something I would see myself doing.”

After all, tile needs replacing, and the security cameras won’t fix themselves. And with less foot traffic, Na is constantly brainstorming how she can further diversify the V-Maxx Convenience Store.

“We want to get as much support out the door as we can,” said Kate Fenske, CEO of the Downtown Winnipeg BIZ.

The goal is to draw people and business back to the city’s core, she said. Downtown buildings have a collective 30 per cent ground floor vacancy rate, she added.

“Our goal is… (to) cut that vacancy rate in half in two, three years,” she said.

Businesses opening downtown offices could get $10,000 through the program. The Downtown Winnipeg BIZ has received around 120 applications in the three weeks the grant has been live, according to Fenske.

The province announced $2.5 million from its own coffers for the initiative last summer. Applications will be accepted until the $5 million is gone, which will likely take two years, Fenske said.

Not all businesses are biting.

“We don’t have a lot of money for that kind of stuff right now,” said Hannah Fenton-Smedts, an employee of White Star Diner.

The restaurant could use a new, “more eye-popping” sign, Fenton-Smedts said. However, between inflation and recovering from pandemic-era losses, non-crucial renovations are taking a backseat.

“Even 50 per cent is a lot (of money),” Fenton-Smedts said.

Aluminum Sound also won’t be spending its money on expansion or renovations, said manager Dade Williams.

“I’d just rather (see) more cops and more cameras… to make it more safe,” Williams said of the funding.

The Graham Avenue shop has faced more crime and close calls, he noted. People experiencing homelessness often occupy the nearby bus shack, which isn’t an attractor for business, he said.

“Nobody’s going to come down here if it’s not safe, and businesses won’t come down here,” Williams said.

He pointed to a convenience store across the street whose windows were boarded up. Window smashings are common, he said.

However, that store owner is expanding on the Graham Avenue strip, taking two units instead of one.

“We know that there isn’t going to be one thing that’s going to make all the difference,” Fenske said. “It’s really about those different layers, making sure we have businesses that are filling the storefronts.”

Boosting the residential population is another goal, she added.

Vandal announced the government funding would lead to a projected 112 jobs — mainly construction. When asked who would staff the jobs, given the labour shortages, he noted, “We’re investing hundreds of millions of dollars into job training for young people, we’re working with unions, we’re increasing immigration.”

He said collaboration between governments and business will lead to downtown’s revitalization.

“We need a common vision,” he said. “There’s a lot of positive happening in downtown — we just need to keep the growth happening.”

Thursday’s announcement comes on the heels of the Liberal government unveiling its 2022 fall economic statement, which included $250 million set aside for jobs, skills and growth.

Applications for the Building Business grant are on the Downtown Winnipeg BIZ’s website.

gabrielle.piche@winnipegfreepress.com