Denison targets downtown entertainment businesses with grant program

DENISON, Texas (KXII) -As we watch Texoma grow, the City of Denison is making the process for new and existing business owners on Main Street, a little bit sweeter with the many grants it offers.

“Who you are as a community is reflected in what your Main Street looks like,” said Tony Kaai, Denison Development Alliance President.

And the Denison Development Alliance wants its Main Street to be a place where people want to dine, shop, and have fun.

“We started the Destination Creation loan to grant program about five years ago, we did that to help accelerate the development of Main Street,” Kaai shared.

The loan to grant is for entertainment-type businesses and will provide a 15% matching incentive for up to $100,000.

“They have to be in business for three years so if they go two years and go out of business, well two-thirds of the loan converts to a grant but they would still owe us for that third year,” Kaai explained, “If they’re in business for three years, then it’s a total straight grant.”

But it doesn’t stop there, the Alley Access grant provides each business with $2,500.

So far up to 18 businesses have taken advantage of this grant, including the Bargain Box on the 400 block of West Main Street.

“It’s going to be difficult when they shut off the front,” said Linda St. Claire, Chairman of the Building Committee, Junior League of Grayson County.

This grant allows businesses to shape up their back entrances when Main Street goes under construction. “We hope to have it done within a month,” added St. Claire.

For the Bargain Box, the grant doesn’t fully cover the remodel but they’re grateful for any kind of help.

“We’re a non-profit organization, all of the money that we make out of the bargain box, we would rather not use putting up lights,” St. Claire told News 12.

Both grants are funded through the Denison Development Foundation.

“We own and operate real estate and so the money that we receive from our real estate is the money that we use for programs like this,” Kaai added.

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