2024 Business Grant Program

The 2024 Michigan City Urban Enterprise Association (MCUEA) Business Grant Program is designed to support the city's overall development plan. Its core mission is to foster visual improvements, preserve historic integrity, and ensure the structural soundness of businesses within the Michigan City Urban Enterprise Zone. By doing so, the program aims to elevate the quality of products and enrich the customer experience, aligning with a broader strategy for urban revitalization and economic growth within the designated enterprise zone. The primary beneficiaries of this grant program are businesses physically located and operating within the Michigan City Urban Enterprise Zone for a minimum of one year. The program targets these businesses with the goal of stimulating local economic activity and enhancing the commercial landscape. The intended impact is to create a more attractive and vibrant business environment, which in turn benefits the community through improved aesthetics, enhanced services, and increased local commerce. The program prioritizes visual enhancements, historic preservation, and the structural integrity of business properties. It focuses on improvements that contribute to the overall appeal and functionality of the enterprise zone. Expected outcomes include a noticeable improvement in the physical appearance of businesses, a reduction in dilapidated structures, and a general uplift in the quality of commercial offerings. These improvements are intended to be measurable through successful completion of approved projects and subsequent final inspections. The MCUEA's strategic priorities are implicitly linked to a theory of change that posits that direct investment in local businesses, particularly those within an enterprise zone, will lead to tangible community benefits. By providing grants ranging from $1,000 to $10,000, and capping aggregated grants for commonly owned businesses at $7,500 per year, the program aims to distribute resources effectively to maximize impact. The process of application, review, approval, and rebate upon successful completion reinforces accountability and ensures that funds are used for their intended purpose, thereby contributing to the long-term economic health and aesthetic appeal of Michigan City.