Mount Vernon has announced a $500,000 grant program to help small businesses recover from the effects of the pandemic and attract new stores to the city. The program aims to diversify the shopping experience in Mount Vernon by encouraging businesses to apply for grants of up to $25,000 each. Businesses looking to fill vacant ground-floor spaces with a variety of offerings such as sporting goods shops, bookstores, florists, and upscale boutiques will be given priority.
The mayor of Mount Vernon, Shawyn Patterson-Howard, emphasized the importance of supporting local businesses and incentivizing their growth. She noted that 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.
The primary target for grant recipients is the main shopping district along 4th and Gramatan avenues from 3rd Street to Fleetwood. 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 the 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.