Blooming Acres wins $8,000 grant

The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) has awarded $40,000 to five Main Street programs around the state. The grants will benefit business development and expansion projects in the Main Street districts of Corning, Dubuque, Mount Vernon, Osceola and West Union.

The grants are administered through IEDA’s Iowa Downtown Resource Center and Main Street Iowa programs. The funding will assist with business expansion projects for RJ’s Plumbing & Heating in Corning, Luxurious Hair Care in Dubuque, Blooming Acres in Mount Vernon, Mayberry’s Coffee House & Eatery in Osceola, and Euphoria Coffee in West Union.  All five businesses will advance to the state Open 4 Business contest that will be held on August 27, 2019 in conjunction with the Iowa Downtown Conference in Dubuque for the chance to win an additional $20,000.  Twenty-two businesses located in Main Street districts from across the state competed in the first round of competition by submitting an application and video outlining their business expansion plans to a panel of judges to earn the chance to advance to the state contest.  The goal of the program is to support the economic vitality and business development efforts in Iowa’s Main Street districts.

“The Main Street Open 4 Business program builds upon the business development efforts taking place in Main Street districts across the state,” explained Main Street Iowa State Coordinator Michael Wagler.  “The investment these businesses are making continues to build upon the strong local business ethic we see in Iowa, making it a great place to do business.”

The Challenge Grant program is funded through an appropriation from the Iowa Legislature.  Since the first appropriation in 2002, approximately $7 million in state and federal funds has leveraged over $37 million in private reinvestment in 115 projects in 43 Main Street Iowa commercial districts across the state.

For more information about the Main Street Iowa Open 4 Business Grant program, contact Robin Bostrom, Business Specialist, Main Street Iowa, at 515.348.6176 or [email protected] . 


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