ALERT: A Community Thrives Challenge Ends 8/12

Great news to share! We are up to $1,700 in donations for our current campaign on A Community Thrives. We need to raise a minimum of $3,000 to be eligible for additional grants up to $100,000 from the Gannett Foundation. The deadline is Friday, August 12 at 9pm.

Please consider making a contribution today.

https://acommunitythrives.mightycause.com/organization/Metuchen-Downtown-Alliance-A-Nj-Nonprofit-Corporation

Through this campaign we seek to broaden and deepen our support for minority and women owned business enterprises (MWBE) in Metuchen. The way we hope to do this is three-fold:

1. Business opening grants. MWBE's traditionally are underfunded and lack access to capital. Approximately 1/3 of funds we raise will go towards costs related to new businesses opening.

2. Retail promotions. We hold several retail promotions throughout the year to "make cash registers ring." We'll continue to hold favorites like New Year's Party on the Plaza, Lunar New Year, and Hispanic Heritage Month. Approximately 1/3 of funds we raise will go towards these retail promotions.

3. Finally, innovation is at the heart of all we do. More storefront grants, technology grants, and outdoor dining and third place grants will go to MWBE in Metuchen.

Highlights of Businesses That Have Been Helped...

Angie's Cafe received a storefront consultation. Then a matching grant helped remove their awning and install illuminated letters. A new mural by artist Raul Ayala called "Childhood Memories." Read more about it here.

DiCosmo's Italian Ice also got a storefront consultation and a matching grant to help install a retractable awning and paint their building in 2021. A second matching grant in 2022 is helping with making improvements inside. They also were the first Innovation Grant recipient to assist with updating their website and expanding marketing efforts.

Lunar New Year is a new retail promotion that welcomed people to downtown Metuchen in February 2022. Pictured are the University of Pennsylvania Dragon Dancers outside of Newmarket. A total of 120 retail promotions since 2016 have made cash registers ring for businesses. Sales generated from one promotion are sometimes enough to help pay rent for the whole month. That is why over 145 businesses have opened downtown and more than 89% of those businesses have stayed open in that period of time. 

Your support will help to ensure that the businesses and events you've come to love so much continue.

Please make your contribution to downtown Metuchen today!

https://acommunitythrives.mightycause.com/organization/Metuchen-Downtown-Alliance-A-Nj-Nonprofit-Corporation

Downtown Metuchen Visitor Survey

We want to hear how you currently enjoy Downtown Metuchen, and your ideas for ways to improve your experience. Your answers will help guide the Downtown Metuchen Alliance's planning efforts for the next 5 years.

And as a thank you for your time, at the end of the survey you will have the chance to enter a raffle for a chance to win a $25 Metuchen Dollars Digital Gift Card.

Complete the survey at: https://bit.ly/MetuchenSurvey