SPRING 2023 OUTDOOR

Matching Grants

It’s almost Spring! That means outdoor dining at our sidewalk tables & window-shopping on Main Street! Visitors love to stroll in our downtown. Let’s work together to brighten it up for Spring!

The DBD is now offering matching grants to businesses in the district who want to improve their outdoor experience. Are you planning to add something new to your outdoor dining area or the entryway of your storefront?

If your application is approved, the DBD will match 50% of the cost of your improvements, up to $500 per business.

We want this to be a speedy and easy process for businesses. If you have any questions or you’d like to brainstorm ideas before sending your application, contact DBD Coordinator Sandra Russo-Driska at (860) 347-1424 or Sandra@DowntownMiddletown.com.

Here’s how it works:

• The business must be located in a DBD property (that’s most of Main Street, but contact us if you’re not sure.) It can be a retail or restaurant business.

• Eligible outdoor items include new flowers, planters, umbrellas, tables, chairs, or seasonal decorations that create a more attractive look to your business from the sidewalk. Ask us for ideas!

• Fill out the form below. Give us an estimate and provide some background on what you are planning. This can be specific, like a link to a particular umbrella and its purchase price, or general, such as “$200 in flowers”.

• Submit as soon as you are ready and we’ll get back to you quickly with our answer. The last date to apply is Friday, April 28, 2023. After you make the purchases, give us a copy of your receipts and the DBD will issue a check for half of your project, up to $500 per business. (In other words, if your approved project is $650 total, we would reimburse you for $325 of your costs).

• Approval will be on a first-come, first-served basis until funds run out.

• Applying for and accepting this matching grant means that you agree to maintain the improvements you make (for example, watering your flowers), and that all items are allowed by the City of Middletown.

• Projects of any size are welcome, but there will be a limit of $500 reimbursement per business. Improvements should take place before June 30, 2023.

This year, the DBD has reallocated funds that are typically spent on advertising and has redirected them toward short-term projects like this matching grant. We don’t expect that this will be an annual program but hope it makes things a bit brighter in 2023!