GRAND RAPIDS, MI —Two businesses in downtown Grand Rapids have been awarded grants from Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. to help them cover half their rent for 18 months.
The Grand Rapids Downtown Development Authority, a tax collection district whose revenue is managed by DGRI, approved the grants this month for Grand Rapids Game Show, 112 Monroe Center St. NW, and ArtRat Studio on South Division Avenue.
The financial support is part of DGRI’s Retail Innovation Grant program, which aims to help address storefront vacancies and increase the number of downtown retailers. In September, DGRI reported that 22% of downtown storefronts are vacant…