$25,000 Grant Awarded to PPC
The Purple Porch Co-op, Michiana’s community-owned food cooperative is proud to announce that we have been awarded a $25,000 matching grant from Downtown South Bend, Inc. (DTSB) in order to improve the façade of our future food store at 123 N. Hill St. in the historic East Bank of Downtown South Bend.
Member-Owners: this is YOUR business that received the grant. The awarding was not because of the work of 1 or 2 people. It was awarded to the Co-op because of the incredible cooperative nature of our business and the show of support you have already demonstrated (and because it will be a great addition to downtown!).
The Exterior Enhancement Grant through DTSB is a competitive grant that encourages property/business owners to renovate or restore building facades and adjacent streetscapes in downtown South Bend for an overall improvement to the pedestrian landscape.
Talk about Community Support! We are honored to be the only recipient this year and will receive the full amount available. The façade project will take an otherwise drab building and create a welcoming urban space for retail food sales and community space centered on good local, organic and fair-trade food. 
Great News - but not a time to rest on our laurels. This grant is a significant contribution toward the facade. However, the store actually opens with Member-Owner financial support. Further financing is still needed for the grant match, improvements to the interior and parking lot, equipment for the store and kitchen, and startup staffing.
