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Eleven businesses will benefit from almost $250,000 worth of grants thanks to Townsville City Council’s City Activation and Jobs Growth Policy.

The policy’s Component 3 – Modernising Buildings grants support businesses and organisations to activate city streets, improving attractiveness, vibrancy and safety in the city centre. The grants include the improvement of building and shopfront facades or retrofitting buildings to open them onto the street.

Council this week approved 11 submissions for grants totalling $247,016.

Deputy Mayor and Planning and Development Committee chairperson Mark Molachino said the grant funding was available to cover up to 50 per cent of the eligible repair works to a maximum of $30,000 per project.

“Council is working to grow Townsville into a city that facilitates 24-hour access to services, including increasing our nighttime economy to ensure entertainment, sports and community venues and primary healthcare services are available after traditional 9am to 5pm business hours,” Cr Molachino said.

“In the past financial year, we’ve had significant success with our City Activation and Jobs Growth Policy, with more than $1.3 million in development incentives provided to businesses during that time.

“We’re pleased to be able to extend this success our first round of grants for the 2023/24 financial year. Council has adopted the recommendation for grants totalling $247,016 for 11 businesses across Townsville.

“The businesses include hotels, transport hubs and retail stores, with upgrades set to improve the vibrancy and safety of the city centre.”