The Portage Redevelopment Commission asked staff to draft program templates for facade, landscaping and signage grants aimed at helping businesses within the redevelopment allocation area, with a focus on Portage Mall businesses.

Dan Bowdich said he will prepare application and program language for three grant types — facade, landscaping and signage — and asked for one commission member to assist with review of each draft. Commissioners volunteered: a commissioner offered to review signage, another commissioner accepted landscaping review, and staff said they would return the drafts at the Sept. 25 meeting with a recommendation and incorporate the final programs into the fiscal year 2026 spending plan prepared at the November working session.

Bowdich said the program drafts will be presented for full board review and that each commissioner would present on their assigned category at the meeting. The intent is to help businesses in the allocation area by providing a clear grant application process that can be folded into the RDC budget.