The Main Street Economic Revitalization Program (MSERP), administered by the Greater Mankato Growth, Inc. Foundation, offers funding for commercial construction projects within specific areas of the Greater Mankato region. This initiative is supported by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), the state’s principal economic development agency. The goal of MSERP is to foster economic growth and revitalization in targeted commercial corridors through financial assistance for qualifying construction efforts.
The program has a total of $721,153 in available funding, sourced from the State of Minnesota through DEED. Grant amounts can range from $5,000 to $175,000 per applicant and can cover up to 30 percent of the total construction costs. Projects funded by this grant must be completed by June 30, 2026. The program is competitive, as evidenced by the first round in which over $7 million in requests were submitted for just under $2 million in funding.
Eligible projects must be located in one of three commercial corridors: Downtown Mankato/North Mankato, along US Highway 14, or along MN 60/US Highway 169. Projects within a 10-minute walking distance from these corridors, as determined using Google Maps, are also eligible. Applicants must submit their proposals by June 1, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. Only applications that receive email confirmation from rvesey@greatermankato.com, grants@greatermankato.com, or jrinehart@greatermankato.com will be considered complete.
Supporting documentation such as application instructions, FAQs, and an application worksheet are available for download. It is essential that applicants read these materials thoroughly to ensure compliance with all submission guidelines. Previous expenses on a project do not disqualify an applicant, although this is likely subject to further terms detailed in the application instructions.
Applicants and interested parties can contact Greater Mankato Growth by email at grants@greatermankato.com or by phone at 507-385-6640. Questions regarding submissions or receipt confirmations should be directed specifically to rvesey@greatermankato.com. The program has been made possible through the collaborative efforts of regional and municipal partners including local cities, counties, and development organizations.
