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Copyright © 2022 Albuquerque Journal
The Metropolitan Redevelopment Agency has awarded $500,000 in grants to 15 local downtown businesses.
The grants are part of the Downtown Storefront Activation Grant program, to revitalize downtown business in Albuquerque. The new program is to encourage business owners to open new locations in the area.
“I think this is a great effort to revitalize the downtown area of the city. It’s great to see so many empty buildings and storefronts come back to life,” said Joe Hubbard, owner of Blue Door Patisserie.
Among the 15 sponsors are various restaurants, a flamenco dance company and a comedy club.
“We are thrilled that these businesses are able to take advantage of recovery resources to establish a home in the Downtown Core,” MRA Director Terry Brunner said in a news release.
MRA public information officer Sarah Allen said each of the first-round recipients received between $30,000 and $35,000. Allen said the MRA received an additional $500,000 to help more downtown businesses, but according to her, that program is still under construction.
“For now, we will continue to accept applications from interested businesses and add them to the waiting list,” Allen said.
To qualify for the grant, applicants must be located in the vicinity of Lomas, Broadway, Coal and 11th Street, according to the city’s website.
Buds & Beans general manager Lisa Taj McKellon said the business was awarded $35,000. Maxelon said half of the businesses are open when they open the grant and the other half after they’ve been open for at least a year. Those businesses must continue to meet the program’s criteria.
“The grant has helped us move forward while at the same time allowing us to effectively support our employees’ quality of life,” said Maxelon.
Downtown businesses receiving assistance include:
• Blue Door Patisserie
• Sprouts and beans
• Dry Heat Comedy Club
• Echo Brewery
• Electric play house
• Flamenco works
• Flyby offers
• The mouse hole of La Finca
• My mother’s restaurant
• Narke Greek restaurant
• Warehouse 508
• Something ginger
• Sports Systems at Warehouse 508
• Warehouse 508 acres
• Wing It
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