What’s Your Next Downtown Investment? Introducing the Downtown Vitality Grant

The Stevens Point Downtown Business Improvement District is investing $10,000 back into Downtown businesses, properties and great ideas.

What’s the project you’ve been thinking about?

Maybe it’s renovating a storefront or commercial space. Purchasing equipment that would allow your business to expand. Introducing a new product or service. Creating a new event or marketing initiative. Developing professional plans for a future renovation. Or maybe you’re an entrepreneur ready to bring an entirely new business to Stevens Point Downtown.

The Stevens Point Downtown Business Improvement District (DBID) wants to help move those ideas forward through the new 2026 Downtown Vitality Grant.

Investing Back Into Downtown

The Downtown Vitality Grant was developed by the DBID’s Economic Vitality Work Group as another way to support the businesses, property owners, and entrepreneurs who invest in Stevens Point Downtown.

A total of $10,000 in DBID funding has been dedicated to the 2026 program.

But our goal isn’t simply to award $10,000 in grants.

Our goal is to use that investment as a catalyst for significantly more private investment in Stevens Point Downtown.

The competitive grant requires a minimum 1:1 applicant match, and projects that leverage greater private investment, demonstrate strong readiness and create meaningful value for the Downtown district may receive higher consideration during the review process.

What Could You Do?

The Downtown Vitality Grant was intentionally designed to support different kinds of investments and ideas.

RENOVATE.
Improve a building, storefront, commercial space or property.

EXPAND.
Purchase equipment, increase capacity or add a new business capability.

CREATE.
Introduce a new product line, customer experience, event, promotion or marketing initiative.

LAUNCH.
Bring a new business, service or entrepreneurial idea to Stevens Point Downtown.

PLAN.
Take the first step toward a larger project with architectural plans, professional designs or renderings.

And if your idea doesn’t fit neatly into one of those examples, bring us your idea.

Grant Funding Available

Three funding categories are available:

• Building & Property Improvements — up to $5,000

• Business Equipment — up to $2,500

• Business Growth, Design & Marketing — up to $1,000

Applicants may apply in more than one eligible category, with a maximum combined grant award of $5,000 per applicant/property.

Grant funding may cover up to 50% of eligible project costs, with applicants providing at least the required 1:1 match.

Who Should Apply?

The Downtown Vitality Grant is intended for existing businesses and property owners within the Stevens Point Downtown Business Improvement District, as well as entrepreneurs working to establish an eligible new business within the district.

This is a competitive program, and applications will be evaluated based on factors including project investment and value, readiness, ability to complete the project, funding ability, demonstrated need, uniqueness and—most importantly—the value the project adds to Stevens Point Downtown.

Applications will be reviewed by the Stevens Point DBID Economic Vitality Work Group, with funding recommendations presented to the Stevens Point Downtown Business Improvement District Board for final approval.

Ready to Move Your Idea Forward?

Applications are open September 1–30, 2026.

If you’ve been waiting for the right time to make an improvement, grow your business, invest in your property or bring a new idea Downtown, this could be the opportunity to take another look at what’s possible.

LEARN MORE HERE

Questions about whether your project may qualify? Contact the Stevens Point Downtown Business Improvement District—we’re happy to help you understand the program before you apply.

What’s your next Downtown investment?

INVEST. IMPROVE. GROW. THRIVE.