Jefferson Matters: Main Street is looking for entrepreneurs who have a great business start-up idea or have plans to expand a current business or product line. The Open 4 Business contest offers up to $28,000 in grants for a local business launch or expansion idea within the Jefferson Main Street District. Interested businesses must complete an application and submit a short video outlining their business idea and how it will benefit the local economic climate in their community. A 25 percent cash match is required. Main Street’s Economic Vitality Committee is hosting the competition, whose funds are administered by the Iowa Economic Development Authority’s Downtown Resource Center and Main Street Iowa program. The committee will choose one business at their April 6 meeting and will then submit one applicant to represent Jefferson at the sub-state competition held in Des Moines on June 15. Sub-state winners will receive $8,000 and advance to the state contest held in Sioux City on Aug. 1, where the state winner could win up to $20,000. More information about the grant and the application process can be found below.
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Jefferson Matters: Main Street contact Peg Raney
Phone: 515-386-3585
Email: director@jeffersonmatters.org
Web: www.jeffersonmatters.org/open-4-business-competition-2/
Robin Bostrom, Business Specialist, Iowa Downtown Resource Center/Main Street Iowa
Phone: 515-725-3053
Email: robin.bostrom@iowaEDA.com
