

The Main Street Economic Revitalization Program (MSERP)
Applications have opened for the Main Street Economic Revitalization Program (MSERP). Organizations planning commercial construction projects in any of the corridors highlighted in the map below can apply for grants of up to 30% of the cost of construction. Projects must be completed by June 30, 2026.
Greater Mankato Growth, through the Greater Mankato Growth, Inc. Foundation has $721,153 to grant out. These funds were made available by the Minnesota Department of Employment & Economic Development (DEED), the state’s principal economic development agency. Grants between $5,000 and $175,000 can be requested before the deadline of June 1, 2025 at 11:59 pm.
In the first round, there were $7 million in requests for just under $2 million in funding, so it is anticipated that these applications will be highly competitive.
Businesses located within the three corridors located in Downtown Mankato/North Mankato, along US Hwy 14, and along MN 60/US Hwy 169 can apply. Additionally, businesses located within a 10-minute walk from a corridor boundary – as determined by Google maps -are eligible.
MN Main Street – Greater Mankato Commercial Corridors (arcgis.com)
Please contact [email protected] with questions.
This is a state-funded initiative through the Department of Employment & Economic Development (DEED) intended to provide grants for capital improvement projects in commercial corridors across the state.
Projects resulting in the development, redevelopment, renovation, or repair of buildings are eligible for funding under this program.
Funding is available to anyone who has plans to invest in an eligible project per the requirements listed below. Priority will be given to business owners or developers from underserved populations including Black, indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) individuals, LGBTQI individuals, women, veterans, individuals with disabilities, low-income individuals, and individuals living in rural communities.
Businesses can receive a grant for up to 30% of the total project cost. Eligible expenses include:
- Repair, or renovation of real property
- Building construction
- Landscaping and streetscaping
- Demolition and site preparation
- Predesign and design
- Engineering
- Non-publicly owned infrastructure
- Related site amenities
The following expenses are ineligible:
- The purchase of real estate or business operations
- Business operating expenses such as inventory, wages, or working capital
Projects must be completed by June 30, 2026
An applicant should check with their local municipality for all permitting, zoning and ordinance requirements.
The following are some examples to give you an idea of whether a project is eligible. Not all eligible projects will receive funding. Some types of projects that are not listed below may be eligible.
- Development:
- Building a new structure on previously vacant land.
- Adding additional space onto an existing structure.
- Redevelopment:
- Demolishing an existing structure and constructing something new
- Repurposing an existing structure to find a new use
- Renovation
- Making an improvement to a building façade (storefront)
- Remodeling the interior of a building
- Remodeling a doorway or building a ramp to improve ADA compliant accessibility
- Repair
- Repairing a leaking roof
- Fixing broken windows or doors
- Resolving a safety concern
- Adding fire suppression/sprinklers
- Replacing a damaged HVAC system
Yes! Up to 50% of the funds that have already been expended (for example architecture, legal, and demolition costs) can count towards the matching funds for the grant.
Note that these grant funds cannot support a project that can occur without the funds, so if a project is actively underway, these funds can be used to cover the actual costs of an “enhancement” to the project design (for example increased square footage, better materials, energy efficiency, or an improved facade).
Application Documents - Please read Application Instructions & FAQs in their entirety before applying.
Link to Application (No application is considered complete unless a confirmation of receipt has been received from [email protected], [email protected], or [email protected]. If you have completed your application and have not received email confirmation within two business days, please contact [email protected] to confirm that the application has been successfully submitted)
Application instructions (pdf)
Link to Application (No application is considered complete unless a confirmation of receipt has been received from [email protected]. If you have completed your application and have not received email confirmation within two business days, please contact [email protected] to confirm that the application has been successfully submitted)
Application instructions (pdf)
Solicitud del Programa de Revitalización Económica de Main Street (No application is considered complete unless a confirmation of receipt has been received from [email protected]. If you have completed your application and have not received email confirmation within two business days, please contact [email protected] to confirm that the application has been successfully submitted)
Speakers of Somali, Anuak, and Nuer should contact the Minnesota Council of Churches – Refugee Services office at 507-345-1554.
Af-Soomaaliga, Anuak, iyo Nuer waa inay la xiriiraan Golaha Kaniisadaha Minnesota – Xafiiska Adeegyada Qaxootiga 507-345-1554.
Our region could not have received this grant without the support of the partners listed below. Thank you to all of them:
This Program is supported, in part, by the State of Minnesota through a grant from the Department of Employment and Economic Development