Grant OPPORTUNITIES
DOWNTOWN
ENHANCEMENT GRANT
Available to existing businesses in the downtown. For improvement to your business or the downtown community.
Available to new businesses in the downtown or those moving to/opening in the downtown.
N. BARSTOW
BEAUTIFICATION GRANT
Available to businesses located in the N. Barstow BID or enhancement project in the BID.
Business Resources & Information on the
Business District Improvement Districts (BIDs)
What is a BID? Great question, thanks for asking! A BID, or Business Improvement District, is a designated area where commercial property owners agree to pay a self-imposed tax (called a mill rate) to fund projects that enhance and add vibrancy to the area. The goal is to create a place that people enjoy visiting and want to return to.
Eau Claire is unique in that it has four BIDs. Most cities typically have only one, usually centered around their downtown (Milwaukee is the only city in the state that has more BIDs than EC with 32).
Visible examples of BID-funded improvements include the tree lighting on South Barstow, hanging flower baskets on West Grand, and the public garbage bins located throughout the districts.
Each BID is guided by a board composed primarily of commercial property owners and business owners within its boundaries. Since the funds are considered a tax (though only affecting the commercial properties within the BID), all board members must be approved by City Council after being recommended by the BID board.
Want to learn more about what each Eau Claire BID has to offer? Click the logos below!
Interested in serving on a BID Board? Follow the link below to apply through the City's resource bank.