News Photo by Steve Schulwitz Dan Cantil does some embroidery at Family Enterprise in downtown Alpena on Wednesday. The business received a grant from All in for Alpena and will also get a 50% match from the Alpena Downtown Development Authority.

ALPENA — The Alpena Downtown Development Authority will add a 50% match to grants given to downtown businesses by the All In for Alpena program.

All In for Alpena, a cooperative of area nonprofits aiming to help businesses hurt by coronavirus-related shutdowns, announced last week it had raised $45,000 to support 32 area businesses.

Fifteen of those businesses, including The News, will receive an additional 50% from the DDA. All In for Alpena, a private organization, did not disclose the grant recipients or how much each received.

The DDA will spend $13,375 for grants between $375 and $1,500.

Money for the grants will come out of the DDA’s savings, and leave the organization with a fund balance of $265,000.

The DDA had set aside that money for the purchase of the former Royal Knight Cinema, but that deal is no longer moving forward after the DDA lost a grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corp. and a lack of communication with the property owner.

DDA President Mike Mahler said business owners pay the taxes to support the DDA, so returning some of the money to them was the right thing to do.

“The money we have was collected from them, and it is up to us to support them, so this was really an easy decision to make and a no-brainer, in my opinion,” Mahler said. “Giving money back to them during these difficult times was the right decision and the right call.”

Aaron Buza, who sits on the board and owns Downtown Scoops, withdrew his business from consideration because he said business has been good and he suspects some nearby businesses could use his portion of the money more.

“I appreciate the support, (but) we’re doing OK with the walk-up window,” Buza said, referring to the window he installed when customers weren’t allowed inside his shop because of coronavirus restrictions. “I know there are businesses near me, though, that aren’t getting the foot traffic they normally do, and I would just rather see that money go to my neighbors.”

The DDA board asked Executive Director Anne Gentry and Buza to find out which businesses downtown may be struggling more than others and then decide where the funds intended for Scoops will be allocated.

DDA grant recipients

The Alpena Downtown Development Authority board voted today to give additional grants to businesses that had received help from All in for Alpena, a cooperative of nonprofits that raised $45,000 for businesses hurt by coronavirus-related shutdowns.

Receiving funds from the DDA are:

The Fresh Palate

Mango’s Tequila Bar

Family Enterprise

Latitudes Tavern

The Alpena News

The Local Basket Case

Cabin Creek Coffee

The Black Sheep

Myers Furs and Fashion

Rusty Petunias

Emery Enterprises

Great Lakes Divers

Studio Rubedo

Parallel 45 Book and Gift

Muddy Paws