The St. Petersburg City Council voted Thursday to send a proposal for increased Main Street Program funding to its Economic and Workforce Development Committee for discussion in January.

The city’s four Main Street Districts—The Edge, Grand Central, Deuces Live, and Skyway Marina—each receive $55,000 in annual funding, an amount that has remained unchanged for the past decade, according to Edge District President Nicole Waters.

Waters is requesting a $20,000 increase per district to account for inflation and district growth. She cited the Edge District’s Halloween on Central event as an example, noting that the district added accommodations for neurodivergent children this year but faces limitations in expanding programs without additional resources.

Council Member Corey Givens, who requested the committee review, said he would work with city administration to identify potential funding sources. The motion passed unanimously.

Council Member Gina Driscoll said she thought $20,000 per district would be a good starting point, emphasizing the importance of supporting local businesses in St. Petersburg.

Waters acknowledged the city’s budget constraints while maintaining that an increase is overdue given the districts’ expansion and rising costs.

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