Areas that are eligible for Great Streets resources are displayed in the map below. Eligible areas are currently grouped into two categories: Eligible and Priority Eligible. The Great Streets program prioritizes resources to Priority Eligible parcels, which are those that lie within one of four designated areas: (1) Green Zones, (2) Areas of Concentrated Poverty where 50% or more of residents are people of color (ACP50), (3) Promise Zone, and (4) Cultural Districts.

Contact Judy Moses for more information.

The City Council awards Business District Support (BDS) grants to not-for-profit organizations with the capacity and mission to perform business district revitalization and economic development work.

Each neighborhood business district is unique - with its own set of opportunities and challenges and requires a customized approach to improving its economic health. BDS grants fund a wide range of activities, with the overarching goal of strengthening neighborhood business districts and building sustainable mechanisms for ongoing vitality and investment.

Eligible proposals are focused on initiatives and investments that enhance business district vitality, benefit existing businesses, diversify an area’s client base, or increase the diversity of goods and services provided, particularly in communities where there are existing racial, ethnic, and economic disparities.

Overviews of grants awarded in 2012 , 2013 , 2014 , 2015 , 2016 , 2017 , 2018 , and 2019 help illustrate the diverse set of activities funded. Staff reports to the City Council recommend grantees and describe program achievements of the past year: 2022, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, and 2014.

Contact Judy Moses for more information.

Neighborhood business districts are the front door of Minneapolis neighborhoods. A welcoming, vibrant business district sends a powerful, positive message, just as a poorly maintained or vacant row of storefronts conveys a negative impression.

The Façade Improvement Matching Grant Program helps revitalize and sustain the economic vitality of the city’s commercial districts through public/private investments in façade projects for commercial properties. Façade improvements make an aesthetic impact, improving the appearance of individual buildings and consequently entire commercial districts.

From 2008–2021, the Great Streets façade program stimulated over $7.3 million of private investment and over $2.9 million of public investment in 1083 façade improvement projects citywide.

Who can apply?

Building owners and commercial tenants (with property owner’s approval) can apply for a Great Streets façade grant if:

1. the façade improvements are for a commercial business or commercial building, meaning it has a retail or office use AND
2. they are located within an eligible business district.

How does the program work? What do grants pay for?

The program's Business Guidelines  explain how the program works, what types of improvements are eligible in the program, which are not, and other important information about the program. Read this document carefully before you begin planning your project.

Need design ideas?

The Great Streets Façade Design Guide  is a fabulous resource for all commercial property owners and business owners considering façade changes or updates. The encouraged projects listed are eligible for façade grants and the discouraged activities are NOT eligible.

For more information

Contact Judy Moses

View the 2022 Facade Grant Service Area Map and administrator contact information .

City Council Staff Reports Recommending Façade Improvement Matching Grant Contracts to the City Council

• 2021 Recommendations
• 2019 Recommendations

The City has gap financing loans available for transformative commercial real estate redevelopment projects or acquisitions located in Great Streets Eligible Areas. The Application Form  may be submitted at any time.

• Examples of Gap Financing Projects

Contact Rebecca Parrell for more information.

The City of Minneapolis has access to a wide range of demographic and market data. Staff can provide demographic and market reports about neighborhood commercial areas to community groups and others involved in business district revitalization and retail recruitment. The reports ARE NOT conclusive or comprehensive market studies. The Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), has a good primer on understanding market data and getting started on retail recruitment - Community Revitalization Planning Guide .

Contact Rebecca Parrell to request a customized profile for a geographic area.

Staff can also provide businesses and entrepreneurs with customized demographic and market reports based on factors related specifically to their business type and location.

Contact Rebecca Parrell for more information.

• Connect with City of Minneapolis Business Associations  and other business owners to stay informed and work together to improve your district.

• Updated Great Streets Eligible Areas, consistent with Minneapolis 2040
• Updated Categorization of Eligible Areas November 11, 2017
• Adding Two Commercial Districts to Eligible Areas as Pilot April 29, 2014
• Review of Great Streets Program Fund Balance
• Loan Origination Fee and Underwriting Guidelines Nov. 30, 2010
• Categorization of Great Streets Areas March 10, 2009
• City Council report on Great Streets April 17, 2007
• City Council report on Commercial Corridors November 7, 2006