Downtown Vitality Grant

The Downtown Vitality Grant is a competitive matching grant offered by the Stevens Point Downtown Business Improvement District, or DBID, to encourage private investment in Downtown Stevens Point. The DBID has allocated $10,000 in total program funding. The program is intended to strengthen Downtown businesses, improve commercial properties, support business growth, and add to the overall vitality of Downtown Stevens Point. Eligible applicants include business owners and property owners associated with commercial property located within the Stevens Point Downtown Business Improvement District. Business tenants seeking funding for permanent property improvements must obtain property-owner authorization. Funding is available across three investment categories, and applicants may apply in more than one category, subject to a maximum combined award of $5,000 per applicant/property. Building and Property Improvements may receive up to $5,000 and can include interior or exterior renovations, facade or accessibility improvements, permanent improvements, and improvements that activate or enhance commercial space. Business Equipment may receive up to $2,500 for equipment or technology that expands products or services, increases capacity or efficiency, or improves the customer experience. Business Growth, Design and Marketing may receive up to $1,000 for new product-line inventory, professional marketing or branding, website improvements, architectural or design services, plans, renderings, and similar business-development investments. The Downtown Vitality Grant requires a 1:1 match and will fund up to 50 percent of eligible project costs. For every $1 invested by the DBID, the applicant must provide at least $1 in private investment. Applicants may invest more than the required match and are encouraged to leverage additional private investment. The funder illustrates the requirement with a $10,000 project consisting of $5,000 in applicant investment and a $5,000 Downtown Vitality Grant. The program is reimbursement-based. Award recipients must provide documentation of approved expenses dated between September 1, 2026 and June 30, 2027 and proof of payment before DBID grant funds are distributed. Applications open September 1, 2026 and must be submitted by September 30, 2026. The program is competitive and applications are not funded on a first-come, first-served basis. The supplied source provides a link labeled Vitality Grant that directs applicants to the grant application page. Applicants should not assume they have received funding until formal notification is provided by the Stevens Point DBID. The supplied material does not state an LOI, concept paper, pre-proposal, notice of intent, or other pre-application gating requirement. Applications are evaluated by the Stevens Point DBID Economic Vitality Work Group using a 100-point scoring system. Criteria include investment category, project value and private investment, project readiness, 2026 completion, funding ability, value added to Downtown, need and research, and uniqueness or new offering. Value Added to Downtown is the most heavily weighted criterion at 25 points. Reviewers consider benefits to the Downtown district as well as benefits to the applicant, including strengthening or expanding a Downtown business, improving or activating property, attracting customers or visitors, creating or retaining jobs, improving customer experience, encouraging additional investment, filling a gap in the business mix, and strengthening Downtown Stevens Point as a destination. Project Value and Private Investment and Project Readiness are each worth 15 points, while several other criteria carry between 5 and 10 points. Reviewers independently score applications, after which scores are compiled and discussed by the Economic Vitality Work Group. A high score does not guarantee funding. Recommendations may also take into account available funds, the overall applicant pool, the ability to support multiple projects, and whether full or partial funding would allow a project to proceed successfully. The Work Group makes funding recommendations to the Stevens Point Downtown Business Improvement District Board, which provides final approval. Contact information for Stevens Point BIDs includes telephone number 715-496-0823 and the address 1105 Main Street, Suite A, Stevens Point, WI 54481. No individual grant contact or email address is identified in the supplied material.

Emphasize measurable value to the Downtown district because Value Added to Downtown carries 25 of 100 points. Demonstrate project readiness with quotes, plans, vendors or contractors, approvals, and a realistic completion plan. Clearly identify credible matching funds and private investment, explain the evidence supporting project need, and show how the project provides a new, distinctive, or underserved offering. Projects fully completed in 2026 receive the highest consideration under the completion criterion. A high overall score does not guarantee funding, and applicants should demonstrate that the project can successfully proceed with full or partial funding.