Staff photo by Fritz Busch Project Neu Ulm 1group members and Gallery 512 Boutique co-owners Danielle Fischer Marti, left; and Jessica Fischer Hoffmann, are selling tickets for the Feb. 16 “Eis Bar” event at Schell’s Brewery Mansion.

NEW ULM — In an effort to pump more life into downtown New Ulm by helping keep retail space lively, a new project is picking up steam.

Projekt Neu Ulm is a group with a mission to provide an assist for people who want to start a business but don’t know how.

Along with a local group of entrepreneurs and business owners, Projekt Neu Ulm will create a “shark tank” like atmosphere in which entrepreneurs pitch ideas and present business plans. After a business owner’s project is chosen, they will receive the following from Projekt Neu Ulm:

• Subsidized rent for a downtown location for one year with an opportunity to extend to a second year.

• Financial help from local banks.

• Access to business owners and entrepreneurs to validate a business plan and bounce ideas off of them.

• Free or low-cost advertising from local firms.

“Our goal is to bring more life back to downtown New Ulm and keep downtown retail space lively,” said Kyle Marti, August Schell Brewing Company Vice President of Operations.

“There are people that want to get started but just don’t know how,” Marti said. “We want to give people the opportunity to succeed. And if they succeed, everyone in New Ulm wins.”

An “Eis Bar,” outdoor dinner event to support Projekt Neu Ulm is set to start with social hour at 5 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 16 behind the Schell’s Brewery mansion.

Patrons will receive a six-course meal prepared by Aron Bode and Franz Marti, with each course paired with a special beer. In addition, each patron gets a swag bag valued at $90 with gifts supporting downtown businesses.

Fire pits will line the tables as servers bring out different courses. Chefs and brewmasters will explain the pairings. All drinks will be served with a bar made of ice blocks cut out from a local lake.

All event proceeds will go towards Projekt Neu Ulm. Tickets are $125 and available at Gallery 512 Boutique, 20 N. Minnesota St.

“It’ll be a fun, unique experience,” said Danielle Fischer Marti of the Project Neu Ulm group and a co-owner of Gallery 512 Boutique.

Fritz Busch can be emailed at fbusch@nujournal.com