Free rent for a lucky business owner in Fresno

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- If you've ever had an idea to open a restaurant or store in the Valley, now may be the perfect time to pursue that dream. The Downtown Fresno foundation is launching a new campaign to give one lucky winner a free space.

Restaurants, stores and some empty spaces line the Fulton Mall in Downtown Fresno. Now the Downtown Fresno Foundation is launching a major campaign called the "Create Here" competition to bring a new business to the mall.

Gretchen Moore said, "They would open a business and we would give them everything they need to start a business including one year free rent, $10,000 cash to help with startup costs."

Moore with the Downtown Fresno Foundation says the competition is open to anyone and will kick off July first. Several groups came together to donate prizes and to make this dream a reality. The foundation is hoping creative minds will kick start their idea in the heart of Fresno.

Moore explained, "Downtown Fresno is on such an upswing right now. We have high speed rail, BRT, Fulton Street is coming back. We have new businesses who are investing here everyday, we have historic buildings being fixed up everyday. Now is the time to open a business in Downtown Fresno."

The foundation is also offering a restaurant makeover to a business in downtown. Prizes have been donated by local groups like Next Generation Philanthropy which will help spruce up the exterior of one restaurant.

"Because the facade is the first thing a person sees when they come up to a restaurant or a building visit and it's really the first impression," said Renee Reese. "We'll be back to look at the facade and say hey we did that and we helped this business thrive and help the momentum get going again for revitalization down here."

Businesses like the Little Bean Caf enjoy serving people downtown. They hope the competition will encourage other entrepreneurs.

Little Bean Cafe Employee Martha Solis said, "It's a great idea because not everyone has the means to start a business down here."

Ideas and plans, they hope, will help the local economy thrive.

Downtown Fresno supporters hope to get a variety of ideas from across the Valley and country. The create Here Competition wraps up in mid-August.