The City of Sacramento is putting its money where its mouth is when it comes to the revitalization of the Marysville–Del Paso Boulevard area. In a push to foster economic growth and community engagement, the city has awarded a significant $600,000 through the Forward Together pilot grant program, handpicked by city officials. This hefty sum is earmarked for 16 local non-profits, businesses, and individual awardees, according to a recent announcement on Sacramento City Express.
"This grant funding represents our commitment to bringing back North Sacramento," Councilmember Roger Dickinson, who is responsible for the area's representation, said, aiming to bolster economic revival and community well-being. The Neighborhood Development Action Team (NDAT) manages the funds, supporting projects that align with the city's Forward Together Action Plan, encompassing housing, employment, retail, and overall neighborhood experiences.
Included in the funded initiatives is the D2 Thrives Initiative, a venture aimed at providing aid to small businesses, activating unused properties, boosting sanitation efforts, and laying out a housing plan to enhance community stability. Festivities and artistic expression are also on the grant's docket, with the Greater Sacramento Urban League setting out to engage residents in the creation of decorative banners to adorn the boulevard, crafting a more vibrant street scene that hearkens back to Del Paso Heights’ rich cultural tapestry and history.
Fun is also part of the agenda, with Uptown Beats & Eats—a family-friendly event that celebrates local breakdancing, music, and food vendors—aimed to reinvigorate seldom-used spaces, reinforcing community ties, and lending a hand to neighborhood businesses. "The Forward Together pilot grants mark another exciting investment for the residents, businesses, community-based organizations and all care holders of District 2," Assistant City Manager Michael Jasso said, highlighting the city's commitment to tangible improvements for the Marysville-Del Paso Blvd Corridor and nearby neighborhoods.
The pilot grant program funds, sourced from Measure U and managed by the NDAT, include an infusion from the Office of Arts and Culture designed to bolster the area's creative scene. These latest financial boosts supplement the sizable $5 million from federal American Rescue Plan Act dollars allocated to City Council District 2, which also funded nearly $1 million in façade improvements and over $2.3 million granted to local organizations and businesses. For locals with an eye towards grabbing a piece of the grant pie in the future, the city invites them to subscribe to their grants listserv for updates on open opportunities.
