Mount Vernon’s Mayor, Shawyn Patterson-Howard, has announced a $500,000 grant program to support small businesses in the city. The initiative aims to help local businesses recover from the effects of the pandemic and also attract new stores to diversify the shopping experience in Mount Vernon. Businesses can apply for grants of up to $25,000 each, with priority 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 goal is to incentivize and support the growth of new businesses in Mount Vernon, keeping local spending within the city. The focus is on attracting different types of commerce beyond the abundance of discount stores and personal-care businesses in the area. 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.
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, Mount Vernon’s director of business development, will review applications and select grant recipients by early August. Businesses will be scored based on their management practices and innovation of their products and services while maintaining Mount Vernon’s unique urban environment with a personalized shopping experience.