Lynn Ward, president and CEO of Waterbury Regional Chamber, and Joseph Violette, chamber director of public policy and economic development, walked past several vacant storefronts on Grand Street Wednesday, hoping a proposed program will soon rejuvenate the area. The program would administer grants of $50 per square foot, with a maximum grant of $100,000 to eligible property owners who are looking to develop or restore new or existing ground-floor retail space. The Board of Aldermen on Monday will consider approving the program. If approved, the program would receive $1.5 million from the city’s federal $74 million American Rescue Plan allocation. If approved next week, the program would be up and running in August, Ward said. Throughout the duration of the program, chamber officials would highlight vacant properties through open houses, social media campaigns and business development workshops for new businesses. Applications are expected to close June 30, 2023. The program would be a partnership between the Waterbury Regional Chamber of Commerce Foundation and city officials. A nine-member oversight and approval committee would be set up and be responsible for processing and vetting applications and disbursing funds.
Waterbury encourages redevelopment of Grand Street with grant money