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    3. Red Wing Port Authority Supports Downtown Growth With Multiple Grant And Funding Opportunities
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    Red Wing Port Authority supports downtown growth with multiple grant and funding opportunities main photo

    Red Wing Port Authority supports downtown growth with multiple grant and funding opportunities

    September 23, 2025

    Business attraction and retention efforts are essential for economic development organizations like Red Wing Port Authority. Funding is always a primary concern for small businesses, and unique financial opportunities can be a major tool for furthering business development in a community. At the Red Wing Port Authority, numerous programs and initiatives spur economic growth by investing in local businesses with grants and other financial tools. Many downtown improvements have taken shape with these programs. The Downtown Investment Partnership, a collaborative effort between the City of Red Wing, Red Wing Port Authority, and the local philanthropic community, is one such driver of downtown projects. 

    The role of downtown investments

    Red Wing is an incredible community with an abundance of raw materials and assets, such as the environment, unique architecture, a proud history, and a commitment to entrepreneurship. Despite this, barriers to investment can still exist in the community. Complex and costly real estate ventures, such as downtown renovation projects, require specialized approaches beyond the financial tools typically available to local governments or developers. Simultaneously, public sector redevelopment tools are more limited than in past decades. Overcoming these challenges can prove difficult given the early stages of many investments experience a gap between investment needs and financial return.

    Red Wing’s downtown investment challenge is designed to fill the gaps in the downtown real estate investment picture and help push high-quality real estate projects over the finish line. By engaging philanthropic partners, a coordinated and elevated downtown investment effort has taken shape with clearly defined benchmarks for success. Focus areas include housing creation, historic property rehabilitation, and economic development. Through these opportunities and other programs, downtown investors can leverage as many resources as possible to bring dynamic new commerce and housing to the community.

    Exploring downtown improvements through funding programs

    Andrea Hanson, executive director for Red Wing Downtown Main Street, is a serial entrepreneur and supporter of small business development. Her downtown boutique, Phileo Style and other business investments have utilized available grant programs from Red Wing Port Authority to cover upgrades at existing businesses and review potential investment opportunities. 

    Sign, Awning, and Facade Program

    Many local investments, such as the Red Wing Port Authority’s sign, awning, and facade program, offer benefits to both the receiving business and the larger community. While businesses receive assistance to complete necessary improvements, the public benefits from aesthetic enhancements and increased economic development opportunities as improved appearances draw additional investments.

    “In Red Wing, we’ve seen a fun rebirth over the last seven years since I’ve been a business owner,” Hanson explained, sharing that since she opened Phileo Style in 2018, many other new building restorations and renovations have been completed downtown. “I’ve had a front row seat to see more people invest in our downtown.”

    Hanson’s businesses, both Phileo Style and a commercial building housing Heimie’s Haberdashery and four upstairs apartments, have each utilized these grants to complete upgrades and enhance the visual appeal of the enterprises. Hanson said Port Authority grant money was a key part of the package inspiring development and businesses downtown. These resources can often be combined with other programs, including some spearheaded by Downtown Main Street, to help businesses stack grants for revitalization and other projects.

    Using the sign and facade program was essential for Hanson as her boutique relocated multiple times, and new signage was needed at each location. With the matching grant, she was able to invest in high-quality, permanent signage with visual appeal. As a business owner, she also used the program to replace an aged front door contributing to potentially damaging water leakages.

    Technical Assistance Grant

    Funding from Red Wing Port Authority via the Technical Assistance Grant program can also be instrumental in the beginning stages of redevelopment. The TAG program financed architectural drawings of a downtown building to help map the scope of a redevelopment project  With drawings, bids can be obtained, and an investor can assess the feasibility of obtaining a bank loan to finance a building purchase and renovation. Hanson ultimately used these architectural drawings to pass on one opportunity that wasn’t the right fit. 

    Downtown Investment Fund

    The city’s Downtown Investment Fund was also a funding source for redevelopment projects. When adding apartment space to downtown on the second level of a retail space, Hanson utilized the fund to meet certain accessibility and safety codes. Vibrant downtowns benefit from mixed-use buildings and the addition of long-term residents, making investments in residential expansion a true investment in the future of Red Wing.

    “Red Wing is one of the friendliest cities to buy a building or become a business owner in,” Hanson said. “We really want to support new growth and entrepreneurs.”

    In her role with Downtown Main Street, Hanson is eager to see more redevelopment and engagement downtown. One effort is already underway this summer through the end of the year. Downtown businesses and restaurants are welcoming shoppers and diners with extended hours, pop-up experiences, and special deals each Thursday.

    “We wanted to create a night a week for families to come and spend time downtown and do some shopping, go out to eat, and explore,” Hanson said. The organization is also staying focused on promoting grant opportunities and furthering collaboration with the Red Wing Port Authority and furthering collaboration with the Red Wing Port Authority.

    To learn more about the full range of grant and funding opportunities available through Red Wing Port Authority, visit our website here or contact us today!

     

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    Red Wing Port Authority 419 Bush Street Red Wing, Minnesota 55066 T. 651-385-3639 F. 651-388-4782
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