Heartland shops keen to tap new grant for community activities

40 merchants express interest, with several recipients featured in Marine Parade bazaar

- Chin Soo Fang

Some 40 heartland merchants have expressed interest in a new grant for them to conduct activities in community spaces to bring out the unique aspects of each heartland precinct and to involve the community.

The Heartland Enterprise Placemaking Grant was announced during the 2024 Budget debate in March. It helps merchants increase customer footfall through community activities and tap professional services such as event management and auditing.

The grant defrays up to 50 per cent of eligible costs for selected initiatives by these merchants, capped at $10,000 per project. Other areas of support include third-party consultancy, equipment, software and marketing.

A spokesperson for Enterprise Singapore said on Sept 21 that there have been about 40 interested merchants since the grant was announced.

Several recipients were among the 18 brands featured at a weekend pop-up marketplace in Marine Parade. Called the Easty Breezy Bazaar, it coincides with the 50th anniversary celebrations of the estate and ends on Sept 22.

The bazaar is also a heartland rejuvenation project to increase the liveliness of heartland precincts and drive business.