Available Grants
Facade Improvements
The DDA offers Mini Facade Grants of varying amounts which are intended for downtown building/business owners to make impactful improvements to their buildings that will elevate the overall look and feel of the downtown. Grant assistance could be for smaller projects like painting, fixing broken windows or signage – or larger projects like major exterior renovations or full façade makeovers. The grant application is updated annually, so if you are interested please make sure you’re looking at the current version. Each project is judged on its own merit and the impact it will make. The building owner is required to provide match for the grant. While the required match is not a set amount, those with a significant match component are given more consideration.
The City of Houghton will provide four free hours of design assistance for downtown property owners who want to renovate their storefront, including those applying for a Mini Façade Grant. This helps ensure that proposed improvements will be an enhancement and fit within general design guidelines. The City has historic preservation design guidelines for many downtown buildings.
If you have questions about the grants or general façade improvements, please email citymanager@cityofhoughton.com.
Business Association
The Business Association meets the first Wednesday of each month at 9:00 a.m. at the City Center. The Association plans special events and promotions for downtown. If you would like further information or would like to be added to their mailing list please contact the City office: info@cityofhoughton.com or 906-482-1700.
MTEC SmartZone
Planning is critical to building and growing a business, and Downtown Houghton is dedicated to your success. With the MTEC SmartZone business incubator on the waterfront, and centers designed to assist start-up businesses, a multitude of services is in close proximity to help your business thrive.
Event Application
If you are planning on holding a public event (parade, fundraiser, etc) in Houghton and would like permission to use a city park or street, the Event Application (see below) needs to be completed and returned prior to the event so that the necessary arrangements can be made.
Revolving Loan Fund
Some of the objectives of the City’s Revolving Loan Fund are to stimulate private sector capital formation, aid small business development. redevelop blighted or vacant land and facilities, stabilize and diversify the area’s economy by providing employers with capital for expansion. The direct benefits anticipated in the community are jobs, tax revenue, and private investment. Criteria to apply for a revolving loan include being located within the Downtown Development Authority or Tax Increment Financing Authority District. The minimum collateral requirement is a mortgage of real property. The minimum interest rate shall be four percentage points below the currently national prime rate. If you are interested in learning more about this topic, please send an email to info@cityofhoughton.com with “Revolving Loan Fund Questions” in the subject line.
Keweenaw Economic Development Alliance
The Keweenaw Economic Development Alliance (KEDA) is the regional economic development organization serving Houghton and Keweenaw Counties. KEDA works with entrepreneurs, existing businesses, developers, and community partners to support business growth, job creation, redevelopment projects, and economic vitality.
Services and resources include:
Business financing and revolving loan fund programs
Site selection and development assistance
Business retention and expansion support
Connections to state, federal, and local economic development resources
Redevelopment and community development assistance
Workforce and business growth resources
Whether you are starting a business, expanding operations, relocating to the area, or exploring development opportunities, KEDA can help connect you with the resources you need. Visit KEDA: https://kedabiz.com/
