News Photo by Darby Hinkley A view of downtown Alpena from the corner of Park Place looking down Second Avenue. The DDA has launched a new Recruitment Grant Program to help attract more businesses to the downtown.

ALPENA — The Alpena Downtown Development Authority has launched a new Recruitment Grant Program to encourage existing businesses to relocate or expand into Downtown Alpena.

The program offers grants up to $10,000 per business that can be used toward eligible expenses such as capital improvements, moving costs, signage, rent differential, and utility switchovers to their new location in Downtown Alpena.

Businesses must have been established for five or more years with a proven track record of success to be eligible for the program and must be entering a three-year minimum lease or purchasing property within the downtown district.

Once relocation is complete, businesses will need to be open and accessible to the public a minimum of 48 hours per week. Preference will be given to businesses that add to the mix of businesses located in Downtown Alpena and fall in categories that align with the Alpena DDA’s strategic priorities.

“We created this program to help attract businesses that would add to the diversity of businesses downtown,” said DDA Executive Director Anne Gentry. “A men’s or children’s apparel store, a shoe store, a bakery, additional fine dining restaurants, a small local grocery or convenience store–these are all businesses we would love to see open or relocate into our downtown district.

“We continue to have interest from businesses who want to join our downtown community, and we hope this program helps encourage existing businesses to make the move into Downtown Alpena,” she added.

The Alpena DDA has allocated $40,000 total from its Economic Fund balance to contribute toward the grant program. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis by the DDA Economic Development Committee, whose recommendation will go to the DDA Board of Directors.

Before beginning an application, businesses must set up a pre-application meeting with Gentry to ensure eligibility for the program and discuss the application process.

Those seeking more information or wanting to view the full program guidelines and application can visit https://www.downtownalpenami.com/recruitmentgrant.html or contact the DDA at 989-356-6422 or anneg@alpena.mi.us.