The Dutchtown Community Improvement District and Dutchtown Main Streets are excited to announce the start of a new community-oriented Neighborhood Beautification Service Program in partnership with employer and training vendor Employment Connection. The program, funded by the Dutchtown CID, is designed to keep Dutchtown’s main thoroughfares clean while recirculating taxpayer money back into the community. Services are expected to start in August 2021.
“After getting our feet wet with standard trash porter services when the Dutchtown Community Improvement District got up and running, we really challenged ourselves as a community to envision a model that could have additional benefits to make this use of our tax dollars stretch even further,” said Joel Silliman, Chair of the Dutchtown Main Streets Design Committee. “What we are putting into place here in Dutchtown is a program that helps keep our streets clean, provides job opportunities for people who live here, and pays a fair entry-level wage.”
The scope of the Dutchtown Neighborhood Beautification Service Program was crafted by neighborhood volunteers serving on the Dutchtown Main Streets Design Committee. The new services will allow for the routine emptying of trash cans and litter removal along the Dutchtown CID footprint covering Virginia Avenue, Meramec Street, and South Grand Boulevard within the Dutchtown neighborhood.
The program aims to employ beautification workers locally from the Dutchtown neighborhood with a starting hourly wage of $15. This community-oriented model fosters clean streets while directly employing people from the community and paying them a fair wage.
Selecting a vendor for the Neighborhood Beautification Service Program followed a request for quote process with Employment Connection being awarded the contract. Employment Connection has existing ties to the Dutchtown community as the City of St. Louis’s chosen facilitator of the Cure Violence program in Dutchtown and a longstanding history of connecting local residents with employment opportunities and other services. Employment Connection will hire, train, and supervise the Dutchtown beautification workers.
Along with funding from the Dutchtown Community Improvement District, US Bank is providing financial support through its US Bank Foundation Rebuild and Transform Fund grant awarded to Employment Connection last Fall to support job training in targeted neighborhoods like Dutchtown. Habitat for Humanity, which has its St. Louis headquarters in Dutchtown, has also joined forces with Employment Connection to provide a utility vehicle for trash removal along the designated service footprint.
“We have a lot of exciting momentum in Dutchtown and growing grassroots community engagement. The goal is to use our momentum to implement more projects and services that have equitable benefits for Dutchtown similar to what was accomplished with this local neighborhood beautification program,” said Nate Lindsey, President of Dutchtown Main Streets.
Now Hiring for the Neighborhood Beautification Team!
Are you or someone you know looking for rewarding part-time work? Join Employment Connection’s Neighborhood Beautification Team! Supervisor positions start at $17 per hour, and beautification workers start at $15 per hour. The jobs offer 15 to 20 hours per week beginning in August. Employment Connection especially seeks to hire from within the Dutchtown neighborhood.
The Neighborhood Beautification Team gives workers the opportunity to foster change within their community and play a key role in building a stronger and better Dutchtown for all. Take pride when you see tangible results as the Neighborhood Beautification Service Program helps to transform Dutchtown into a cleaner and safer neighborhood for residents, business owners, and visitors.
To apply, send a resume or letter of interest to smartinez@employmentstl.org. If you have more questions about the positions, you can call (314) 333-5622. Employment Connection is a background-friendly equal opportunity employer.
EncoreSTL is a collective of performance artists and creatives located here in Dutchtown at Thomas Dunn Learning Center. They produce live theater performances as well as digital media with a mission to impact and transform communities.
This summer, EncoreSTL is introducing their Encore4Youth Leadership Program, a paid opportunity for young people ages 16 to 24 to gain experience in the performing arts, digital production, and other vocational areas. EncoreSTL provides training and mentorship to participants, in addition to a $1,200 stipend. Read more about the program and learn how to participate below.
Who Is EncoreSTL?
EncoreSTL is a digital media and live production company based on the South Side of St. Louis. Their mission is to create high-quality productions while making the arts accessible to everyone who wants to experience them. Through culturally relevant theater productions and youth programs, EncoreSTL is dedicated to enriching the lives of members, patrons, and the St. Louis community, “because everyone deserves an Encore.” EncoreSTL’s activities mainly focus around its theater and youth programs, run under the names Encore! Theater Group and Encore4Youth, respectively.
Encore4Youth
Effrem Grettenberger, founder and CEO of EncoreSTL, crafted Encore4Youth to be an innovative and engaging youth program. Having come from a rough background himself, Grettenberger found stability and structure in the arts and theater. From that experience, he saw the need for genuine and enriching youth programs.
Grettenberger and Encore4Youth want to teach kids “how to act”—both literally and through soft skills. Encore4Youth supports kids’ passions, teaches a variety of skills, and provides mentorship in addition to pay.
The EncoreSTL team works to meet participants at their strengths and interests. While EncoreSTL primarily focuses on theatrical productions, they can also help kids interested in, for example, producing their own music. EncoreSTL provides resources, equipment, and mentorship to help realize the visions of Encore4Youth’s participants.
Encore4Youth Leadership is a year-round program with opportunities varying depending on the season. Youth will participate in stage crew activities throughout the year, and the leadership program also includes immersive drama therapy in the summer. For more information on how to participate, email info@encorestl.org.
This summer, Encore4Youth has teamed up with STL Youth Jobs to provide paid employment to several participants. The young employees assist with staging shows and providing administrative support, in addition to participating in the immersive drama therapy program which will culminate in a final artistic presentation led by the youth later this summer.
Upcoming EncoreSTL Programs and Performances
Encore! Theater Group and Chakq Nation bring dinner theater to Cherokee Street! Join Encore on July 22nd for a murder mystery at Empire Hall, 3407 California at Cherokee. Call 314-814-6808 or click here to reserve your table and dinner for four. Additional shows with different themes take place on August 5th and August 19th.
In September, Encore! Theater Group performs Fade by Tanya Saracho. Fade is the story of writer Lucia and janitor Abel, and approaches issues of class and race within the Latinx community and the world at large. EncoreSTL is currently casting roles and seeking a director for Fade. If you’re interested in performing or participating in the production, contact info@encorestl.org. Performances will be on September 17th–19th and September 24th–26th.
Save the date! Join us in Downtown Dutchtown on Saturday, June 5th for Dutchtown Summer Vibes, a neighborhood festival and community event! Dutchtown Summer Vibes is presented by Crawford-Butz Insurance.
Dutchtown Summer Vibes will feature live music, food and drink, a job fair, community organizations, and of course shopping! Shop with our Downtown Dutchtown shops and boutiques as well as pop-up vendors from around the city. Grab a bite from the Urban Eats Neighborhood Food Hall or from other local food trucks and vendors. We’ll have bands and DJs at the Neighborhood Innovation Center, and drinks from Earthbound Beer.
We’ll also have employers and employment organizations seeking to hire folks in Dutchtown, as well as community organizations offering programs for the summer and beyond.
After a big day in Downtown Dutchtown, close out the evening with our first Movie Night of 2021! Come to Marquette Park at sunset for a free showing of Jurassic Park on our 22 foot big screen!
Join us at the Main Stage at the Neighborhood Innovation Center on the corner of Meramec and Compton for DJs, bands, and more all day! While you’re there, grab a beverage from our Earthbound Beer drink stand and a snack from our pop-up food vendors.
We’re still signing folks up, but here’s a list of our confirmed participants. Come out and support them!
Shops
Downtown Dutchtown is home to a variety of unique boutiques, vintage and modern resale shops, restaurants, and other retailers and services. We have lots of one-of-a-kind offerings at values that can’t be beat. Make sure to step in while you’re in the neighborhood.
DT2 • Downtown Dutchtown is at a critical point for capacity building. With the hiring of a part-time staff member and establishment of our UrbanMain committees, we are poised to grow and take on big challenges.
On Give STL Day, May 6th, we’re asking our neighbors and friends to help us continue growing and building momentum towards a better Dutchtown. Donate now!
This year, we are hoping to raise funds for a business facade grant program, an emergency needs fund, public art installations, small business training and capacity building services, and numerous community events. We know that building physical and economic infrastructure is just as important as building social infrastructure. We have a big vision, but we need your help to realize it!
Until recently, DT2 has been operated exclusively by volunteers. Through additional fundraising, we’ll be able to maintain a part-time staffer to help us organize our volunteers, apply for grants, raise additional funds, and streamline our operations. Building this additional capacity is key to our implementation of the UrbanMain initiative, a first of its kind program in Missouri that aims to revitalize our commercial corridors and the surrounding neighborhood.
Please help us to keep the momentum going!In spite of the health crisis we’ve all worked through over the last many months, DT2 has attracted more interest, brought on new volunteers, and produced more results for Dutchtown than ever before. We are ready to grow even more and we hope to take on bigger and better projects to deliver a stronger neighborhood for everyone.
With the amazing matching donation of up to $5,000 from Crawford-Butz Insurance, we can make great strides towards our goals of expanding capacity and providing more to our neighbors, businesses, and community at large. Please donate today!
Missouri Main Street Connection is offering a number of grants available to Dutchtown businesses. These grants are funded by the U.S. Economic Development Administration to help businesses recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and build resilient local economies throughout Missouri.
Businesses within the UrbanMain district (roughly along Grand, Meramec, and Virginia) can apply for up to two grants to help with business development, marketing, operations, and more. Dutchtown organizations are ready and willing to help our businesses apply for these grants.
Grant Requirements
The application process is fairly simple and straightforward, and volunteers from DT2 · Downtown Dutchtown are ready and willing to help you apply. We can help you gather the minimal documentation required, along with developing a creative proposal to address your business’s unique needs.
You will be required to demonstrate any impact your business felt as a result of the pandemic. This may be a loss of revenue, a need to lay off staff, or other adverse effects suffered due to COVID-19.
Grant recipients must put forth 5% of the total value of the grant. So, for example, if you receive a $5,000 grant, you would be required to invest $250 of your own money.
You must have attended the grant workshop on April 8th, or you must work with a community representative who attended—don’t worry, several volunteers from DT2 were at the workshop and they’re ready to help you!
You’ll also need a letter of support from DT2—and we’re happy to help with that too!
There are over a dozen types of grants that businesses can apply for (though each business can only apply for one or two grants). But in addition to the categories below, applicants are also encouraged to be creative—tell MMSC what your business needs, and grants may be available.
Below are a few examples of grants your business may consider applying for. Again, feel free to get creative! If your business has unique needs (and they all do), we can help tailor your application to demonstrate those needs.
Direct Entrepreneur Support in Retail and Restaurant Development
Get grants to help you strengthen your business range in amounts from $2,260 to $6,900. These grants can be used for business evaluation, developing a business plan, implementing business solutions, local sourcing identification, developing operational growth initiatives and shifts, and establishing business promotions.
Get a Business Evaluation
Have professional consultants assess the state of your business and make suggestions for improvement such as maintaining inventory, getting on top of new trends, or merchandising your shop in a more appealing way. Grants for business evaluations are available for $2,260, requiring an initial 5% match of $113.
Build a Business Plan
Does your business have a formalized business plan? Apply for assistance developing your plan with trained business consultants. Lay out a roadmap for building your business to be financially secure, operationally efficient, and ready for growth. Grants for business plans are available from $2,760 up to $4,710. Your 5% initial investment would be $138 to $235.
Implement Business Solutions
After assessing your business’s needs, consultants can offer and implement solutions to address issues such as staffing, bookkeeping, and financing. Grants for business solutions range from $2,760 to $5,060 and require an upfront match of $138 to $253.
Local Sourcing Identification
Multiply your support for the local economy by sourcing your products from other local businesses. Get help finding nearby inventory, shortening your supply chain, and keeping business local. These grants are available from $2,260 to $5,060, requiring a 5% match of $113 to $253.
Operational Growth Initiatives and Shifts
Looking to grow? Consultants will help you plan to add staff, expand your shop, or open additional locations. Operations grants range from $2,300 to $4,600 and need an upfront match of $115 to $230.
Develop Business Promotions
Create a promotion plan built around special sales, events, and more that will help you build a broader customer base. Promotion grants are available from $2,300 to $6,900. An initial 5% match of $115 to $345 will be required.
Website Development
Build your new e-commerce platform to attract customers who might not otherwise make it to your front door. Grants for website development are available in the range of $4,600 to $8,000.
Build Your E-Commerce Website
Did you find your customers asking if they could shop online during the pandemic, but you had nowhere to send them? Apply for a grant to develop a website and online shop for your business. Professional developers will help you build a web storefront to attract customers who may not be able to visit your shop in person. Grants for website development range from $4,600 to $8,000. The 5% initial investment would be $230 to $400.
Economic Vitality Toolkit
Plan for your business’s ongoing success with grants from $4,260 to $11,960. These grants can be used to prepare a business marketing plan or an owner succession plan.
Individual Business Marketing Plan
Get a custom tailored marketing plan for your business covering a wide range of opportunities to expand your reach. These marketing plan grants are available in amounts from $9,200 to $11,960. The initial match would be $460 to $598.
Business Owner Succession Plan
If you’re considering retiring, selling your business, or otherwise gracefully exiting from your current operation, consultants can help you plan the next steps. Succession plan grants range from $4,260 to $8,060, requiring a 5% match of $213 to $403.
Micro-Business Development Services
Experimental business models can get off the ground with grants from $2,260 to $6,080. These grants include featured artisans utilization and cooperative business models for testing market potential.
Featured Artisans Utilization
Expand your business’s offerings by partnering with local makers. Create an exclusive new retail line with a local designer or craft a special menu by partnering with area farmers. These grants are available in amounts from $2,260 to $5,060, requiring a 5% match of $113 to $253.
Cooperative Business Models
Test new businesses and ideas by partnering with existing businesses. These grants range from $4,260 to $6,080. You must provide the initial match of $213 to $304.
E-Commerce Sales Training
Get help developing your online presence with grants ranging from $1,800 to $8,260. Use grants to develop a business social media marketing plan, explore advertising tactics, increase social media engagement, diversify your customer base, and utilize and increase sales on online platforms.
Business Social Media Marketing Plan
Social media consultants can help you get on a variety of platforms and develop a plan to attract and target new and existing customers. You can apply for grants ranging from $4,600 to $7,360, which would require a 5% match of $230 to $368.
Advertising Tactics
Consultants will discuss your business goals with you, then develop an advertising plan to help you reach those goals. This grant is for $1,800. A match of $90 is required.
Social Media Engagement
Work with a social media consultant to expand your reach and engage with new and existing customers. An $1,800 grant is available which would require a 5% match of $90.
Diversify Your Customer Base
Learn how to expand your customer base with market-driven strategies to attract new customers. Grants range from $2,300 to $5,060, requiring an initial match of $115 to $253.
Increase Sales on Online Platforms
Do you already sell online? Learn how to make your online storefront more effective to drive greater sales. This grant ranges from $2,600 to $8,260. A match of $130 to $413 is required.
