Dutchtown nonprofit impacted by federal funding freezes
ST. LOUIS, Mo. (First Alert 4) - A nonprofit group that s small businesses and helps to develop public safety and infrastructure improvements is searching for alternative funding after funding freezes.
The Neighborhood Innovation Center (NIC), which operates the Urban Eats food incubator and Wink retail incubator on Meramec St., had been named as a recipient of a Department of Energy BUILT grant in December. The organization was set to receive $100,000 to help with repairs to the NIC’s roof and to make energy-efficient building upgrades.
John Chen, the cofounder of the NIC, said the building is 40 years old. Its roof is visibly worn and needs replacing. Chen said the funding would have allowed the organization to free up funds for its other projects.
The NIC’s business incubators have helped a number of local microbusinesses move into permanent brick-and-mortar stores. It’s programming also helps develop entrepreneurship in developing neighborhoods. Some examples of the NIC’s work in Dutchtown include a Mother’s Day pop-up event to promote local businesses and a safety summit coming up in June.
The repairs to the NIC’s offices would have started in the spring, but the organization has been notified that the funds have been frozen as part of the Department of Government Efficiency’s efforts to cut government spending.
“We don’t know what’s going to happen, but we’ll continue our work and looking for opportunities to upgrade our 40-year-old building,” Chen said. “Community organizations like ours really need an innovative way to move forward to make a difference.”
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