Mankato area awarded $2 million in state revitalization funds

The Greater Mankato Growth Foundation has been awarded $2 million through the Department of Employment and Economic Development.
Published: May. 17, 2022 at 11:31 AM CDT|Updated: May. 17, 2022 at 7:53 PM CDT
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MANKATO, Minn. (KEYC) - The Greater Mankato Growth Foundation has been awarded $2 million through the Department of Employment and Economic Development Main Street Economic Revitalization Program.

GMG says the $2 million will be used to promote development and redevelopment in three commercial corridors in Blue Earth County and Nicollet County; Including the Mankato and North Mankato City Center, the US Hwy 60/169 corridor, and the US Hwy 14 corridor.

GMG’s Foundation will serve as the fiscal host of these funds, which will be sub-granted to business owners and developers within the three commercial corridors.

“It will be instrumental to have these funds for businesses to take part in redevelopment projects, development projects. Really a way to support, too, the hospitality industry that has been hit so hard during the pandemic,” Greater Mankato Growth President and CEO Jessica Beyer said.

GMG will be working with Region Nine Development Commission, the Greater Mankato Diversity Council, the Minnesota Council of Churches, and HACER to design a formal application and award process that is accessible to all eligible recipients, with additional support to underserved populations.

”The grant application is accessible to everyone, regardless of who they are, if they are underserved populations, we will be translating the grant applications and accepting them in people’s native languages. We really want to make sure this is an accessible process,” added Ryan Vesey, economic development and research manager at GMG.

Once developed, applications will be accepted and reviewed on a continual basis.

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