The breakdown
Plans to invest in Rail District businesses through an incentive pilot program are underway, according to a presentation from the Economic Development Corporation.
“We're hoping to be in a place where we can launch and kick it off by March-May [2024],” EDC Vice President Gloria Salinas said.
The pilot program will run for three years, and it will include helping business owners update their interior infrastructure as well as facade improvements, Salinas said.
Work to redevelop the Rail District is currently slated to finish by 2026. Investing in local business owners now will help them meet the new standards and create a cohesive aesthetic, Salinas said.
“This just shows that we're willing to put some skin in the game and help especially some of those business owners bring their facade and their buildings up to code with where we want downtown to be,” Council Member Angelia Pelham said.
The EDC will continue to take feedback from council members and the community until the program is adopted this spring, Salinas said. Once adopted, business owners can begin applying, she said.
“This investment zone pilot program is really going to try to work to spur and catalyze some of these efforts that the city has started on,” Salinas said.
In case you missed it
City representatives discussed multiple topics across the two-day work session, including updates on Grand Park and a Frisco Performing Arts Center.
