Main Street Economic Revitalization Grant

The Main Street Economic Revitalization Grant is administered by Destination Medical Center (DMC) in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). This grant initiative is designed to support businesses in Rochester, Minnesota, by offering matching funds aimed at revitalizing and improving the physical infrastructure of commercial properties. The overarching goal is to foster economic vitality and ensure that Rochester remains a vibrant, attractive destination for residents, workers, and visitors alike. This grant program funds a variety of physical improvement projects, including property repair or renovation, building construction, landscaping and streetscaping, demolition and site preparation, predesign and design services, engineering, non-publicly owned infrastructure, and related site amenities. Grant awards are capped at $175,000 per project and cannot exceed 30% of the total project cost. The disbursement of funds operates on a reimbursement basis, meaning recipients will only receive funds after work is completed and expenses are substantiated. All reimbursable expenses must be incurred by June 30, 2026. Eligibility is limited to property owners and business owners/tenants located in either the DMC District or the Lowertown Neighborhood of Rochester, with additional priority given to projects near the future Link Bus Rapid Transit corridor. Applicants are required to provide matching funds for their projects, and those funds must not originate from state or federal sources. This ensures local investment and ownership in the revitalization efforts. Applications are submitted online through the grant portal, which opens on August 4, 2025, and closes on August 25, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. After the application window closes, DMC EDA staff will review submissions, and the DMC EDA Board will provide funding recommendations. Final approval will be made by MN DEED staff within three to five weeks after the recommendation. Successful applicants will then sign a grant agreement and receive reimbursements as they complete their projects. Applicants are asked to provide detailed information as part of the online application process, including business name and contact information, eligibility confirmation, project location, a summary and timeline of the project, detailed project budget, status of matching funds, and anticipated job impacts. The program manager, Wafa Elkhalifa, is available for technical assistance and inquiries via email at wafaelkhalifa@dmceda.org or by phone at (507) 202-4074. To date, the program has already made a notable impact, with over 70 businesses supported, more than 300 jobs created, and 22 previously vacant storefronts reoccupied. The program has awarded grants ranging from $5,000 to $500,000, with the average award amounting to approximately $59,000. The upcoming funding round provides $360,576 in total funding, and applicants are encouraged to prepare and submit their materials promptly for consideration.