Downtown Entertainment Grant Program

Program Goals

• Encourage downtown businesses to to expand the hours they are open into the evening.
• Foster new evening activities downtown while supporting businesses.
• Reduce business-owner risk in trying something new.

Applicant Eligibility

• Applicants must be the business owner; property owners are not eligible applicants unless they are/will be the owner of the business for which the application has been submitted.
• Applicants must hire a local musician or band to play at their place of business for a minimum of 3 hours between the hours of 4pm and 8pm. It is encouraged that when possible, the music act performs outdoors and the event takes place on a weekend.
• Applicants may split up use of the grant monies over a series of dates, but the total amount requested is not to exceed $1,000.
• Applicants must be located within the Downtown Development Authority’s (DDA’s) District boundaries.
• Event must take place within one year of grant approval.
• Events must be in compliance with applicable laws and ordinances.
• Applicants must be mindful of city municipal code (100.070) requiring reasonable efforts to limit noise to a volume that is contained within 25 feet from the source.
• Grantees must agree to show evidence of payment to the musicians before the reimbursement is issued.
• Grantees must agree to a minimum of marketing the event on social media or with posters if they do not possess a business social media account.

Eligible & Ineligible Costs

Grant monies are to be solely used for the payment of the musician/s. Ineligible costs include but are not limited to: expenses occurred for marketing, right of way permit fees, payroll, insurance, utilities or other similar operating costs.

Funding Determinations

Grants can be any amount up to $1,000 and will take into consideration the following criteria:

• How the applicant meets the Applicant Eligibility criteria.
• How the applicant is engaging with other nearby businesses for the event.
• The soundness of the event plan and the proposed expanded hours of operation.
• Where the music will be located (indoors or outdoors).
• Length of time of event.
• If the business is considering seasonally or permanently expanding their open hours.
• Higher consideration is given to applications that are locating music outdoors, engaging with neighboring businesses, and hosting their event on a weekend evening.

Grant Payments

• Grantees must sign a Grant Agreement within 30 days of approval.
• Payments are awarded to recipients as reimbursements.
• Event must in compliance with the aforementioned requirements and proof of payment to musicians must be provided in order to receive reimbursement.
• Grant awards are competitive and awarded on a first-come first-served basis. Businesses are only eligible to receive two grants per calendar year.

To Apply

• Interested applicants are highly encouraged to first call the DDA’s Director to discuss their event and its eligibility.
• Applications must be received and approved by the DDA prior to the event in order to receive reimbursement.
• Applications must be received by the second Tuesday of the month to be considered that month by the DDA Board. Otherwise, it will be on the Board’s agenda the following month.
• Submit one complete copy of the application to the DDA. Notification of your grant status will be provided that month if submitted by the second Tuesday, or the following month if not received by that deadline.

All decisions concerning the grant application process, including eligibility, are within the sole discretion of the DDA Board.

Submit the grant application and supporting documentation (as necessary) to: director@glenwoospringsdda.com. Address questions to the Director at this email address as well or by calling 815-735-9315.