LOUDONVILLE — A little extra funding can be enough to turn an idea into reality.
The Mohican Area Growth Foundation (MAGF) is using an $80,000 grant program to encourage new and expanding businesses in downtown Loudonville.
Wild Roots recently became the first business to receive $22,000 in funding through the Loudonville Downtown Dining Restaurant Expansion Grant Program. The new sip spot is expected to open this winter next to Gnat and Bee on West Main Street.
The grant funding will support the café’s kitchen development and equipment needs.
The remaining $58,000 is still available, and the foundation expects to award additional funding later this fall.
“Our goal was just to try to get some of the spaces that we do have down here, focus on how we could invest a small amount of capital,” Mohican Area Growth Foundation President Jordan Lance said. “Make it available for people that are on the fence about whether something will work or not to try to get them over the edge.”
The grant is reimbursement-based, meaning the business will receive the funding after completing the approved work and documenting the expenses.
Tourism is a large contributor to Loudonville’s economy. The foundation hopes new businesses and services will give visitors and residents more reasons to spend time downtown.
MAGF evaluates applications based on their potential impact on the community, the amount of investment, the number of visitors and employees a project could generate and how much funding the business needs.
The Downtown Restaurant Expansion Grant is one way MAGF encourages investment and strengthens the Loudonville community.
The organization was created after the loss of a major manufacturing company and the ensuing job losses. Its early efforts focused more heavily on attracting large employers to Loudonville.
Attracting jobs and investment is still a priority for MAGF, but Lance said the foundation’s approach has changed over time.
“We have the same goal that we always did — to attract jobs, to attract investment, to improve the quality of life here,” Lance said. “But I would say the tactics have changed a little bit.”
MAGF now focuses on community development, quality of life, tourism, downtown development and support for local businesses.
The foundation has supported projects including the Loudonville bike path and a new pickleball court. It has also helped community groups raise money and organize projects.
“We want to be a facilitator for the community to improve itself, kind of from a grassroots perspective,” Lance said.
The foundation wants to create a Loudonville where new businesses can grow and more people choose to plant their roots.
“I would love to see that happen — attract more families as well,” Lance said. “I think that’s the area we’re focused on today, is just making sure that the community is the best possible version of itself that it can be.”
