The Downtown Traverse City Association (DTCA) is accepting applications now through January 4 from downtown businesses to receive up to $15,000 in funding from the Downtown Relief Fund.

Eligible businesses can apply online for funding, with grants to be awarded in mid-January through wire transfer by Venture North to the bank accounts of businesses chosen for funding. Priority will be given to applications that demonstrate a viable plan for 2021, show adjustments to operate despite Covid challenges, and outline the community impact of the business. Applications will be reviewed by an independent, volunteer team of local representatives established by the Traverse City Downtown Development Authority (DDA). 

“We feel that at least half or more of the DTCA members have urgent needs to sustain their business into 2021 which are the direct result of the devastating impacts of the Covid pandemic,” says DDA CEO Jean Derenzy. “The experts are telling us we need to do everything we can to sustain these businesses as we edge our way back to normalcy with our hope that 2021 will truly be a year of recovery. So this announcement is both an appeal for grant applications as well as an appeal to others that have the capability to contribute to the Downtown Relief Fund so we can have multiple grant rounds to support our business neighbors and the jobs and income they provide.”

According to Derenzy, downtown is home to an estimated 400 businesses that support approximately 6,000 jobs. “Our fund will not begin to resolve all of the issues confronting our businesses,” she says. “But with the generosity of donors and grantors to the fund, we can help our businesses make meaningful progress while holding our economy and community together.”

Future grant rounds will be announced as funding is received. Donations to the Downtown Relief Fund can be made online. The Downtown Relief Fund is a collaborative program of the DTCA, the DDA, and Venture North Funding and Development.