Milton Main Street/The Granary Small Business Grant Program

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What is Milton Main Street?

Founded in 2024, the Mission of Milton Main Street (MMS) is to increase the economic vibrancy of historic downtown Milton and its adjacent commercial corridors. Toward this end, MMS has forged relationships with local businesses and the other civic organizations in town, such as the Milton Chamber of Commerce, Milton Historical Society, Milton Arts Guild, Milton Women’s Club, and Milton Theatre. Together we have worked to create a sense of place through art installations and have hosted special events to increase foot traffic to our small businesses. These initiatives include art projects at Mill Park (originally, under the auspices of the Town of Milton’s Economic Development Committee), kick-off celebrations for these exhibitions, Santa’s Winter Wonderland at the Quayside and the holiday trees at Mill Park decorated by Milton school students. MMS is one of the 13 Delaware accredited main street programs by Delaware on Main Street under the Delaware Division of Small Business.

What is the Milton Main Street/Granary Small Business Grant Program?
Thanks to a generous donation by The Granary, MMS will be awarding $10,000 annually for the next three years in small business grants. These grants can support capital improvements, such as façade upgrades, signage, and equipment purchases, or to develop or enhance marketing plans. 

What businesses are eligible?
Any small business in downtown Milton is eligible. These include businesses located within the town limits on Route 16; businesses on Mulberry St., Union St., Federal St., Chestnut St., and Lavinia St. While businesses can be a franchisee, they cannot have more than two outlets. 

What will a business need to submit in addition to the online application?
In addition to the simple grant application, we ask that you include the following two documents:

1)  A completed and signed W-9
2)  A project budget

If you need a blank W-9 or would like a  a budget template to work from, just shoot us an email:   exploremiltonmainstreet@gmail.com

If you think it will be helpful to get your ideas across, feel free to send along renderings, diagrams, or photos of your business or project.  Don't worry!  They don't have to be fancy.   A simple sketch or an iPhone photo are fine.

If you are asking for support for a marketing project, feel free to send along your marketing or promotion plan.

If your lease requires that you need landlord permission for any improvements, please include a letter from your landlord supporting the project.

Where does a business send the additional documents?
exploremiltonmainstreet@gmail.com 

What is the size of the grants?
Grants can range from $500 up to $2000.

What is the application deadline?
February 15, 2026

What is the timeline for the grant program?
February 15, 2026:   Applications close
February 25, 2026   MMS Notifies Awardees
August 30, 2026:   Closing receipts and brief report on what you did are due to MMS*
November 2026 MMS releases impact report to the public
*Flexibility will be afforded for unforeseen delays

What is due to MMS on August 30, 2026?
All receipts for the completed project work, photos of completed projects, and a brief report on what you got done. (For example: "new patio added which increased capacity by 10 tables or 25%")

Where can a business ask additional questions?
Please email exploremiltonmainstreet@gmail.com or text 202-421-7825. 

How do businesses apply?Apply easily online below.  You will need to include a brief description of the project and the measure of success for this grant project (increased revenue; increased foot traffic; increased capacity or efficiency; decreased costs).