Following a successful first round, the Office of the 24-Hour Economy Commissioner, through the Department of Enterprise, Investment and Trade (DEIT), has today announced the second round of the Uptown Grant Program.
With an additional $6m allocated to the program, which is designed to fast-track the formation of local business communities and amplify more going-out districts across Greater Sydney, new applicants can now apply for an Uptown Grant of up to $200,000.
Previous recipients can also apply for funding of up to $100,000, and applications are expected to open early next year.
In the first round of Uptown Grants, 21 teams were supported in developing precincts, including Stanley Street District, Koreatown in Eastwood and Chippendale Collective, with the opportunity now extended to more businesses and creatives looking to showcase the best of their communities.
24-Hour Economy Commissioner Michael Rodrigues commented on the announcement of a second round.
“The Uptown Program is gaining momentum – we’ve already supported 21 teams with funding to showcase what’s best in their communities, and we’ve seen exciting districts emerge like Little India in Harris Park and The Gathering in Blacktown.
“There are so many exciting stories in our communities to tell and we look forward to supporting even more district teams when the second round of grants open early next year.”
A key element of the 24-Hour Economy Strategy, the Uptown Grant Program encourages place-based collaboration, promotion and storytelling within districts, and provides a platform for districts to innovate with reduced risk and ultimately become self-sustainable in the future.
The Uptown Accelerator Program, a connection-building program across Greater Sydney which allows districts to pitch their vision to potential partners and collaborators, concluded last month. In the eight-week program, district teams were able to expand on their visions for their precincts and build their capabilities.
Tracey Whittaker, Precinct Coordinator at Chippendale Collective, recipient of $200,000 in the first round of the Uptown Grant, spoke about the opportunity afforded for the precinct by the program.
“The Uptown Grants have enabled us to engage and coordinate with businesses and the community to create the tools and build the programs we need to showcase Chippendale’s eclectic offering.
“A district that includes dozens of eateries, bars, pubs, galleries, numerous retail outlets, green and entertainment spaces, Chippendale’s place as the cultural centre within the Tech Central precinct will be solidified, as we collectively lay the foundations for a long-standing, financially stable community.”