FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — The Tower District is shining even brighter thanks to Vibez Lounge’s newest addition.
“It lit up our building and brought more customers to our facility,” says General Manager Gabriela Alvarez
Alvarez said their facility was one of the winners of the Business Facade Grant Program, which she says has helped make her business look more appealing.
In keeping with the spirit of supporting local businesses, after securing the grant, they chose a local company to design and produce their signage.
“The process was very smooth,” she said. “After the application process was over, I went to Fresno Neon.”
As part of its efforts to revitalize Fresno’s Chinatown and downtown areas, the City of Fresno approved a contract with the Fresno Area Hispanic Foundation that will provide $400,000 in support for improvements to local businesses in these areas.
“The city and the City Council intentionally put them at the forefront of small business investment because mom-and-pop businesses that have been here for 30 years or more are usually left behind,” said City Councilman Miguel Arias.
The Business Facades Grant Program, currently in its third round, has already successfully revamped 84 businesses.
“All we’re asking for is a 25 percent match and we’ll give you up to $20,000 to renovate the entrance and improve the facade,” Arias said.
The first round secured $1.5 million in ARPA funding to support businesses affected by the pandemic.
The second round awarded an additional $1 million to businesses in Council Districts 1, 3 and 4, which includes the Tower District.
Arias said this third round is being funded from the city’s general fund.
“The same money that these small businesses donate to the city of Fresno, we’re putting back into investing in small businesses,” he said.
The application deadline for the city’s Business Facade Grant Program is Nov. 13.
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