The Manitoba government and the City of Winnipeg are working to help businesses downtown improve their curb appeal. The Storefront Success grant program was announced Tuesday, with the province and city pledging a combined $1.4 million. “Downtown Winnipeg is home to hundreds of small and medium-sized businesses whose hard work ensures that their customers strengthen this community,” said Jamie Moses, the minister of Business, Mining, Trade and Job Creation, at a news conference Tuesday. Eligible businesses that apply to the program could receive up to $200,000 that would go towards expenses such as storefront enhancements, improved lighting and signage, upgrades to store accessibility, landscaping improvements and interior changes that can be seen from the street. Small and medium-sized businesses, restaurants, cafes, retailers and non-profits in the area would be eligible to apply. “The money is going to be used to ensure that businesses have opportunities to thrive right here in this district, this region of downtown, help them improve their storefronts, improve their welcoming spaces, their accessibility, and bring more people downtown,” said Moses. Mayor Scott Gillingham said this program is just another step that is being taken to help bring life back to downtown. He added while major revitalization projects are essential to improving downtown, these smaller programs help make a significant difference. “A great downtown is built at street level. It’s the coffee shop that you stop in and enjoy in the morning. It’s a restaurant you visit at lunch or after work. It’s the bookstore that you wander into on an afternoon break or on a Saturday afternoon,” said Gillingham. “As thousands of new residents move into downtown, we need more of those businesses and we want to make it easier for entrepreneurs to open, to invest and to grow here.” A committee made up of people from the province, city, CentreVenture and Downtown BIZ will review all applications. Application deadlines for the grant are set for Sept. 30, 2026, Dec. 31, 2026, and March 31, 2027.
