Midvale’s Redevelopment Agency approved on Feb. 17 the creation of a grant program to help businesses on Main Street host community events aimed at bolstering the district’s arts and culture.

Outdoor concerts, family festivals, craft fairs and holiday markets are among the events eligible for subsidy, according to the grant proposal outline.

Moira Gray, economic development and RDA project manager, told the board on Feb. 2 that, while the events must take place on Midvale’s Main Street, property owners or tenants within the RDA’s Main Street Community Development Area, or CDA, which encompasses 7200 South and 700 West to the junction of Holden Street and Center Street, are eligible for grant funding.

“The community development area is broad, and we wanted to make sure that we gave the [grant] opportunity to people who may be located a little off the street, but we really want Main Street, the main thoroughfare, to be the focus of this,” she said.

The purpose of the new grant program, Gray said, is for private business owners and community members to bolster Midvale's efforts to bring foot traffic to the historic main street without placing a greater burden on RDA staff to host more agency-led events.

The grant program will reimburse event organizers up to $1,000, but it cannot fund more than 50% of the event costs.

“We're really looking for people who are willing to put in a lot of their own money, preferably, and we can help them get over that final hurdle,” Gray said.

The funds can be used to pay for marketing materials, decorations, supplies and to cover the wages of event performers. However, the grant cannot be used for staffing, operating costs or boosting the hosts’ profit margins.

“They [the event organizers] can't be rewarding themselves for their great event by just pocketing that money,” Gray said. And they cannot hold “fundraisers that directly benefit the applicant.”

Events can be ticketed but must open to the public to qualify for the grant, Gray said. She added that, while alcohol can be served at events, grant monies cannot be used to pay for any adult beverages.

An advisory board composed of a city council member and representatives from city administration, the Community Development department, the RDA and the agency’s event coordinator will be established to determine an applicant's eligibility.

The inaugural budget for the Main Street grant program is set at $3,000. After that, the program’s budget will be determined by the RDA board every year.