Grant helps Business Loop CID hire consultants

A federal grant will allow a consultant to help attract small-scale manufacturing to Business Loop 70.

The Business Loop Community Improvement District was one of six organizations in the country to receive a grant through the Economic Development Administration. Consultants will be in town this March to help the Loop CID create opportunities for existing and new business owners.

“We want to make the business loop a very warm, inviting fun place to be and the place to be,” said Chairman of the Business Loop CID Dave Griggs.

The Loop CID hopes to attract locally based companies such as cabinet makers, metal workings, 3D printing, bakeries, garment fabricators and others.

Griggs said he would define the manufacturers as artisan industries.

“That’s where you and I make something in the back room and we sell it in the front room,” he said.

Business Loop CID Executive Director Carrie Gartner said they’re working to attract all types of small manufacturers.

“We’re talking to people who are making barbeque sauce in their kitchen,” she said. “We’re talking to people that have a small location that want to scale up, we’re talking to all sorts of folks.”

She said the project will ultimately create more job opportunities.

“We will have a better gateway into the city, we will have a better destination for people to be at and we will have a job creator for people that live nearby can walk to,” Gartner said.

The CID and REDI are holding a town hall meeting to discuss the project at 6 p.m. March 12 at the Parkade Plaza.