Singapore’s heartland businesses now have the opportunity to apply for the new Heartland Enterprise Placemaking Grant, which provides funding of up to S$10,000 per project to support innovative activities aimed at community engagement. Minister of State for Trade and Industry, Low Yen Ling, announced this initiative during the Committee of Supply debate on March 1, 2024.

The grant is designed to cover up to 50% of eligible costs associated with selected placemaking activities, which can include public art installations, workshops, and thematic festivals. Eligible costs may encompass expenses related to third-party consultancy, hardware, equipment, software, marketing, and professional services such as event management. However, operational costs and common activities like festive light-ups or traditional night markets will not be funded.

To qualify for the grant, applicants must meet several criteria: they need to be Singaporean businesses with at least 30% local shareholding, possess a physical storefront in the heartlands, employ no more than 200 people, and have an annual turnover capped at S$100 million.

The Heartland Enterprise Centre Singapore is available to assist interested applicants starting from March 1.

This initiative aligns with broader efforts to transform and revitalize the heartlands. Two pilot projects are set to launch in Bukit Gombak and Tampines West, aiming to enhance local community engagement. The Bukit Gombak Neighbourhood Centre will be transformed into a “modern heritage heartland hub,” while the Tampines West Neighbourhood Centre is designated as a “heartland events hub,” anticipating more engaging events like last year’s successful pop-up lifestyle event, Wunderground, which drew over 30,000 visitors.

In addition, the Ministry of Trade and Industry has established a new Alliance for Action on Business Competitiveness, aimed at helping businesses maintain competitiveness amid global economic uncertainty. This alliance, co-chaired by Low and Mark Lee from the Singapore Business Federation, will facilitate discussions and develop recommendations by the fourth quarter of 2024.