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Downtown Prince George invites you to apply for the My Downtown Micro Grant program, your business could be eligible for a reimbursement grant in a number of areas – up to a maximum of $500 – per building/project. Any store front business within the C1 zone that has a valid business license and is a member in good standing is eligible for each micro gran on a one-time basis.

Studies have shown that beautification alone can increase sales between 15% and 35%. Merchants should think of the sidewalks fronting their shops as extensions of their window displays, or as entry halls to their stores. Beautiful settings attract people. Adding flowers, trees and outdoor furnishings to a shopping district makes it more inviting, and encourages shoppers to stay longer. 

Program Components & Grant Eligibility

Downtown Prince George invites you to apply for the My Downtown Beautification Micro Grant program, your business could be eligible for up to $500 to beautify your premises. Any store front business within the C1 zone that has a valid business license and is a member in good standing is eligible for the Beautification Program.

Summer & Winter Botanical

This aspect of the program includes botanical improvements to your place of business. Summer beautification may be in the form of a planter, a hanging basket or a garden area. We ask that you do arrange a selection of plants that can withstand the Prince George weather.

Use your imagination to beautify your business in the winter. Planters and baskets of greens or additional lighting will all qualify for the beautification program. Your winter beautification must be in place for a minimum period of four months. All botanical ideas will be considered for the purpose of this grant program.

Additional Lighting

Additional lighting adds to the ambience of your business. From string lights to unconventional forms that would make your storefront stand out!

Flower Planters

Flower planters may be ordered or bought from the supplier of your choice and can contain any plant selections. We do require planters that can be used in all seasons.

Street Furniture

Street furniture adds to the ambience of an area and encourages people to stay longer. Think out of the box, but also think of furniture that will withstand the summer and winter elements. Street Furniture needs to be easy to move, as it must be taken in each night.

Sandwich Board Signs

A unique designed to draw people into your business.

Application Process

Completed applications will be taken on a first come, first served basis. The program is grant based, with each applicant being able to apply for funding for the cost of approved program elements, up to a maximum of $500.

Project proposal submissions must include a detailed description of your proposed design and be accompanied by photographs or renderings of your individual design elements. Eligible project components include, but are not limited to the above.

Applications must be submitted and approved by the Downtown Prince George staff prior to the onset of the micro grant project in order to be eligible to receive funding.

Permits may be required for planters and/or signage. Any questions regarding permits should be directed to Planning & Development at the City of Prince George 250.562.7611.

Contact Downtown Prince George for more information

P: (250)614.1330

E: info@downtownpg.com

Beautification Micro Grant Application

Beautification Micro Grant Information Sheet

Downtown Prince George invites you to apply for the My Downtown ‘Broken Window’ Micro Grant funding.  Our member businesses can receive a small micro grant towards the cost of repairs to items such as windows, doors and locks that have been damaged due to vandalism or break-ins.  The grant will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis, allowing eligible businesses to receive a grant of $500 for each instance of vandalism up to a maximum of $1000.00 per business.

WHAT CAN I USE THE GRANT FOR?

If your business has experienced a form of vandalism or a break-in that resulted in damage to your storefront you will be eligible to apply for this funding. This funding can be used towards:

  • Cost of repairing/replacing damaged glass windows and doors.
  • Cost of repairing/replacing damaged front doors.
  • Cost of repairing/replacing damaged locks, door hardware etc.
  • Cost of paying deductible for insurance claims towards any of the above damages.
  • Cost of other damages to your storefront related to vandalism and theft.

HOW DO I KNOW I AM ELIGIBLE FOR THIS MICRO GRANT?

  • You are a business within the C1 Zone with a valid business license and are a member in good standing.
  • You have completed the application form in full.
  • You can provide a police file number for the associated incident.
  • You can submit proof of the insurance deductible amount. (If that is the cost you are claiming)
  • You can provide proof of purchase (receipts) for the completed for all expenditures.

Applications must be submitted to Downtown Prince George. Staff will approve which expenditures are eligible to receive funding.

Successful applications will be processed and notified within 48 hours (Monday to Friday). All applicants will be required to provide receipts of their expenditures to Downtown Prince George before receiving payment.

Applications must be submitted to Downtown Prince George. Staff will approve which expenditures are eligible to receive funding.

Successful applications will be processed and notified within 48 hours (Monday to Friday). All applicants will be required to provide receipts of their expenditures to Downtown Prince George before receiving payment.

Contact Downtown Prince George for more information

P: (250) 614.1330

E: info@downtownpg.com

Broken Window Micro Grant Application

Broken Window Micro Grant Information

Downtown Prince George invites you to apply for the My Downtown E-Commerce Micro Grant program. In response to the impacts of the COVID-19 crisis, Downtown Prince George will be providing small micro grants to member businesses in support of their digital transition and/or growth. The grant will be available on a firstcome, first-serve basis, allowing eligible businesses to receive a grant of $500 each. 

WHAT CAN I USE THE GRANT FOR?

Whether this is the first time you’ve thought about going digital, or you already have an online strategy, this grant can be utilized in a unique way by every business to best help them transition or grow their online presence. This might include: 

  • Setting up an online store
  • Creating tools to provide your services online (ie video classes) Subscription costs for online tools or services
  • Necessary equipment • Staff training for digital technology
  • Digital marketing (i.e. social media ads)
  • Other digital growth needs

Not sure how you can use this grant? No worries. Call us and we will work to connect you to the resources that might help you.

WHAT CAN’T I USE THE GRANT FOR?

  • Purchasing unnecessary or expensive equipment, or repair of existing equipment
  • Owner’s salaries or salaries of existing employees
  • Repayment of loans or past debts
  • Unapproved purchases or expenditures

Application Process & Grant Eligibility

Completed applications will be taken on a first come, first served basis. The program is reimbursement grant based, with each applicant being able to apply for funding for 100% of the approved expenditures up to a maximum of $500 each. 

Any business within the C1 zone that has a valid business license and is a member in good standing is eligible for a one-time My Downtown E-Commerce Micro Grant.

Proposal submissions must include a detailed description of your proposed projects/products and be accompanied by photographs or renderings of your planned expenditures. Eligible project/products components include but are not limited to the suggested list included in the guidelines.

Applications must be submitted and approved by the Downtown Prince George staff prior to the onset of the micro grant project in order to be eligible to receive funding. 

Successful applications will be contacted by email.  Prior to receiving their grant funds, successful applications will be required to sign a simple contract outlining their obligations – including providing receipts of their expenditures to Downtown Prince George.

Applications will be accepted on a first come first serve basis until the funding has been depleted. 

Contact Downtown Prince George for more information

P: (250)614.1330

E: info@downtownpg.com

E-Commerce Micro Grant Application

E-Commerce Micro Grant Information Sheet

Events can add to the sense of wellbeing and community pride in our downtown. Be creative, think outside of the box. What micro event could be a great addition to our downtown? How will you market your event? Block Parties, Sidewalk Sales, Night Markets or even Winter Markets.

Downtown Prince George invites you to apply for the My Downtown Event Micro Grant.

Application Process

Completed applications will be taken on a first come first served basis. The program is grant based, with each applicant being able to apply for funding for the cost of approved program elements, up to a maximum of $500.

Event Proposal submissions must include a detailed description of your proposed event and be accompanied by a detailed list of event elements.

Applications must be submitted and approved by the Downtown Prince George staff prior to the onset of the micro grant project in order to be eligible to receive funding.

Permits may be required for your event. Any questions regarding permits should be directed to the City of Prince George 250.614.7600

Contact Downtown Prince George for more information

P: (250)614.1330

E: info@downtownpg.com

Event Micro Grant Application

Event Micro Grant Information Sheet

 

Downtown Prince George invites you to apply for the My Downtown Marketing and Promotions Micro Grant program, your business could be eligible for a reimbursement grant – up to a maximum of $500.00 per business. Any downtown business within the C1 Zone that has a valid business license and is a member in good standing is eligible for a one-time My Downtown Marketing and Promotions Micro Grant.

Purpose:

The purpose of this micro grant program is to assist downtown business owners with small scale marketing and promotions initiatives to improve the quality and effectiveness of their marketing plan.

Objectives:

  • To increase the opportunities for downtown businesses to execute components of their marketing plans.
  • To assist downtown businesses in developing marketing materials.
  • To assist downtown businesses to reach a broader market.
  • To enhance brand identity and business recognition.

Eligible Costs:

  • Marketing/advertising content development
  • Graphic design & development
  • Brand development & implementation
  • Video production
  • Photography
  • Printing costs: brochures, posters, flyers etc.
  • Advertising costs
  • Signage: banners, retail displays, decals

Ineligible Costs:

  • Operational costs and staff wages
  • Costs related to hosting, travelling to, or attending meetings, conferences, workshops, trade shows, industry events, or trade missions.

Ineligible Costs (cont’d):

  • Hospitality costs including meals or alcohol, lodging, clothing and uniforms, and all giveaways.
  • Postage (including for direct mail campaigns), phone, office space rental, photocopying, or in-house printing.
  • Incentives, promotional items, giveaways, prizes, and merchandise for resale
  • Purchases of equipment or tools
  • In-kind (volunteer) labour and/or monetized donations (donated materials, equipment, or services from third parties)
  • GST + PST

Application and Program Process:

Any business within the C1 Zone that has a valid business license and is a member in good standing is eligible for a one-time My Downtown Marketing & Promotions Micro Grant. A member in good standing must have a current Downtown Prince George BIA Member Information Form on file at the business office. The program is a reimbursement grant allowing eligible businesses to receive a grant for 100% of the approved expenditures up to a maximum of $500.00 each. Completed applications will be taken on a first come, first served basis. Application submissions must include a description of your proposed initiative. Applications must be submitted and approved by the Downtown Prince George staff prior to the onset of the micro grant project to be eligible to receive funding.

Successful applications will be contacted by email within 5 business days of submitting their application. This is a reimbursement grant. Prior to receiving the grant funds applicants must provide proof of payment of their expenditures to Downtown Prince George.

Contact Downtown Prince George for more information:

P: (250) 614.1330

E: info@downtownpg.com

Marketing & Promotions Micro Grant Application

Marketing & Promotions Micro Grant Information Sheet

Downtown Prince George invites you to apply for the My Downtown Safety Micro Grant program, your business could be eligible for a reimbursement grant – up to a maximum of $500 – per building/project. 

Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) is a multi-disciplinary approach to deterring criminal behavior through environmental design. CPTED strategies rely upon the ability to influence offender decisions that precede criminal acts. Most implementations of CPTED occur solely within the urbanized, built environment. Specifically altering the physical design of the communities in which humans reside and congregate in order to deter criminal activity is the main goal of CPTED.

CPTED principles of design affect elements of the built environment ranging from the small-scale (such as the strategic use of shrubbery and other vegetation) to the overarching, including building form of an entire urban neighborhood and the amount of opportunity for “eyes on the street”.

The My Downtown Safety Micro Grant is intended to:
• Improve the Safety and Security of the businesses and customers
• Enhance comfort for all those who live, work and visit Downtown Prince George
• Deter Vandals
• Decrease Crime
• Reduce Graffiti
• Assist RCMP in apprehending perpetrators of crime

Application Process & Grant Eligibility

Completed applications will be taken on a first come, first served basis. The program is reimbursement grant based, with each applicant being able to apply for funding of the approved program elements, to a maximum of $500. 

Project proposal submissions must include a detailed description of your proposed design and be accompanied by photographs or renderings of your individual design elements. Eligible project components include but are not limited to the below.

Any store front business within the C1 zone that has a valid business license and is a member in good standing is eligible for a one-time My Downtown Safety Micro Grant.

Applications must be submitted and approved by the Downtown Prince George staff prior to the onset of the micro grant project in order to be eligible to receive funding.

Development, Sign and Building Permits are required from the City of Prince George where applicable. It is the responsibility of the building owners or business tenant to secure all permits to complete their project. Any questions regarding permits should be directed to Planning & Development at the City of Prince George 250.562.7611.

Contact Downtown Prince George for more information

P: (250) 614.1330

E: info@downtownpg.com

Program Components (Eligible project components include but are not limited to the below)

  • Outdoor Lighting
  • Surveillance Cameras (inside & outside)
  • Rear Address Numbers
  • Gates
  • Outdoor Classical Music (system & speakers)

Safety Micro Grant Application

Safety Micro Grant Information Sheet

For a city’s downtown one of the strongest determinants of the character and quality is its building frontages. A community that is more appealing to the eye gives its citizens a greater sense of place and welcomes visitors.

Program Overview

If you are undertaking a façade improvement to your building or business frontage, Downtown Prince George will provide a 25% reimbursement grant – up to a maximum of $5,000 – per building/project. The building must be located in the Downtown PG/ C1 Zone. Each building within the Downtown Prince George area is eligible for the one-time grant. Projects must include eligible components and cannot exceed $200,000, in total.

Applications are accepted on an annual basis and awarded on a first come, first serve basis. New projects must be completed by November 30th of that application year. Projects that cannot be completed by November 30th may submit, in writing, a request for a completion date extension. Downtown Prince George will consider each request, but approval for extension is not guaranteed.  

Contact Downtown Prince George for more information:

P: (250) 614.1330

E: info@downtownpg.com

Business Facade Improvement Grant Application

Business Facade Improvement Grant Program & Guidelines