LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — Clark County has approved 26 businesses for the Inspiring Spring Mountain Corridor Improvement Grant Program in Chinatown, according to the county. The county received 38 applications in total.
How the grant works
The program offered businesses funding for items such as exterior upgrades. It provides up to $75,000 per property in matching funds to approved applicants. The grant is reimbursement-based.
According to Clark County, nine of the approved businesses have started their project scope of work. Seventeen others are finalizing their vendor information.
The program has $1.5 million allocated. A county representative said the grant is the first major investment the county has made in Chinatown.
Planned projects
Palette Tea Lounge and Dim Sum is one of the 26 approved businesses.
“Yes. We are very fortunate that we get the funding from the city,” said Michael Lee, the owner of Palette Tea Lounge and Dim Sum. “If it’s by our own, without city support, we probably can’t afford to do all those.”
Businesses say one reason the grant was needed is to curb petty crime in Chinatown, including car break-ins.
“And one of our records is we got six break-ins in one day,” Lee said.
He says this issue has improved drastically lately. In recent months, he says there have been no break-ins due to Las Vegas police’s heavy presence.
Security cameras and LED lighting for parking lots are among the popular investment options. Palette Tea also plans to add artwork to its business.
MORE ON FOX5: Boring Company plans Vegas Loop stations in Chinatown
Application not approved
Shanghai Taste says they applied for the grant with plans to serve street food outside the restaurant, inside Shanghai Plaza. The business was not approved.
“So we were going to move out with our Shenzhen Bao and have them curbside,” the Shanghai Taste owner said.
The owner said he submitted the application for Shanghai Taste and never heard back.
“Yeah, so originally, there was some unclear information about how that went about,” the owner said. “So, I had submitted it for Shanghai Taste, and I just never heard anything back.”
The owner said the building owner of Shanghai Plaza, where the restaurant is located, was approved.
“I mean, it’s great for me on a personal side, because we do do business here,” the owner said.
Calls for more investment
The Shanghai Taste owner said he hopes more investment can also reach some of the other older plazas in Chinatown. He said the area is now one of the most popular tourist destinations in Las Vegas.
According to recent Clark County data, Chinatown is surpassing Fremont Street and the Arts District in visitation.
Copyright 2026 KVVU. All rights reserved.
