Downtown Relocation Grant Program: Application Closes August 30th at 5 PM 

The Town of Chapel Hill Economic Development launched a new grant program in July to assist existing Downtown small businesses. The grant funding is made available through undesignated American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds that were allocated to the department in 2021. The economic development team and community partners involved in the program recognized the importance of retaining local businesses that chose to make Chapel Hill their home. Franklin and Rosemary have iconic storefronts that are crucial to maintaining an economically strong Downtown. Recipients would be eligible to use the funds for revenue-generating space improvements, moving/relocation costs, lease payments, and down payment assistance to purchase commercial space.

The grant is intended for applicants that face imminent relocation pressures. Eligible businesses must be a rent-paying, for-profit business with a storefront physically located and currently operating within the Downtown Chapel Hill municipal service district, with no more than 50 employees (FTEs) and annual revenues less than $5M. Franchises are only eligible if a franchisee is independent. Additional eligibility criteria and application information can be found in the Downtown Chapel Hill Small Business Relocation Grant Program Guidelines.

All required application information and supporting documents must be received by August 30th, 2023, at 5 PM. The grant subcommittee will review the applications and select the grant recipient(s) in Fall 2023. Questions about the program guidelines or application can be emailed to katie.bowden@townofchapelhill.org.

Mobility Study and Streetscape Enhancement Next Steps! 

The Downtown Mobility Study has concluded and the work resulted in recommendations for mobility improvements that focused on the following goals: 

• Increase the pedestrian space to improve the Downtown experience and economic vitality. 
• Balance street users (personal vehicles, cyclists, and transit) between existing street corridors of Cameron, Franklin, and Rosemary.
• Create a Downtown that is a destination, accessible and welcoming to everyone. 
• Locate opportunities for pedestrian connections that improve walkability Downtown. 

The consultant firm, Toole Design, was selected to conduct this work after a public RFQ review process. The Town project team consisted of staff from various departments including Economic Development, Transit, and Public Works, and staff from the Chapel Hill Downtown Partnership. During the duration of phase one multiple stakeholders including Downtown businesses, UNC-Chapel Hill students, and local advocacy groups were engaged to participate. We also held several public input sessions and a pop-up session at Hargraves Community to engage community members.  Read more about the project's purpose and to view the recommendations. 

We are expecting phase two of this project, the larger streetscape enhancement plan of Downtown, to begin in September after the completion of a public RFQ process. Stay tuned for public engagement opportunities and events! 

The Junction is Open: Come Check out the new Downtown Innovation Hub! 

Multiple events hosted by Innovate Carolina and Launch Chapel Hill will welcome community members and visitors into the Downtown Chapel Hill Innovation Hub: The Junction at 137 East Franklin Street. 

Upcoming Events

• Friday, September 7th @ 5:00-7:00 PM:  The Future of Work Signature Series (Presented by Innovate Carolina)
• Friday, September 15th @ 12:00-1:30 PM: Lunch & Learn on Framing Your Ideas through a Business Model Canvas (Presented by Launch Chapel Hill) 
• September, 21st @ 5:00-7:00 PM: “Think Faster, Talk Smarter:  How to Shine When Put on the Spot” Fireside Chat Presented by Launch Chapel Hill) 
• September 27th: Grand Opening Events & Activities 

Economic Development on 97.9 The Hill WCHL & Chapelboro.com!

An exciting new series with WCHL and Chapelboro.com will feature monthly interviews with staff from our department. Listeners and readers will get department updates and learn about initiatives the Town is taking to ensure a Vibrant Chapel Hill, Today and Tomorrow. Each interview will also have an accompanying edited transcript. The first interview with Program Coordinator Sarah Potter is available here, where we discuss the relocation grant program, mobility project, and events around Downtown. Interviews air live on the third Thursday of every month at 7:30 AM! 

The Economic Development Website Has a New Look! 

Our department recently launched our new website chapelhilleconomicdevelopment.org, with our previous domain open2.biz still in use! The site features a more legible menu navigation, integrated social media channels, easy-to-locate forms for inquiries, a tagged news feed, a whole-site search bar, and a cutting-edge design. We're excited to be able to share our department's active projects and resources more efficiently. 

Council Committee on Economic Sustainability (CCES) Returns September 8th, 2023

Monthly CCES meetings will resume starting Friday, September 8th, 2023. This meeting will be held in person at Chapel Hill Public Library Meeting Room B starting at 8 a.m. September's agenda includes a keynote presentation from urban designer Mitchell Silver, focusing on housing. Town staff will also provide an update on the Midtown Pilot Project. These meetings do not have allotted time for public comment or questions; thus, a virtual public information meeting will be held on the same day, September 8^th at 12 p.m., to allow for community dialogue on this agenda item.