The Mount Vernon-Lisbon Community Development Group (CDG), a Main Street Iowa Organization, has announced financial grant awards to 10 Mount Vernon and Lisbon businesses and nonprofits.
The Business Improvement Grants (aka BIG Grants) were awarded to 10 local businesses. A total of $10,000 were given to the following businesses: Aspen Meadow Properties, Canton Studio, Indulgence Salon, Iron Leaf Press, Lisbon Autobody & Paint, Lisbon Library, Mount Vernon Creates, Mount Vernon Insurance, Vintage 1891, and Town Center Office Suites.
CDG received 12 requests for funding totaling $38,101.34 in proposed costs. One applicant dropped out before the committee was able to reward monies, and another applicant submitted two different (but related) building projects, of which the committee decided to fund only one. The smallest grant was for $370; the largest was for $1,310. Lisbon businesses received a total of $3,948. Mount Vernon businesses received a total of $6,052.
“This was the largest number of requests we have received to date for this annual CDG grant,” said Joe Jennison, Director of Main Street and Marketing for the CDG. “The committee decided to award all businesses that applied. This ultimately says a lot about the state of our Main Street businesses post pandemic. If all these projects are completed, this $10,000 investment in our towns will return nearly $40,000 in building improvements.”
Applicants are required to get the appropriate approvals from their City Zoning Administrator, Historic Preservation Commission and Linn County Building Department.
About the Mount Vernon-Lisbon Community Development Group
The Mount Vernon-Lisbon Community Development Group exists to improve the social and economic well-being of Mount Vernon and Lisbon by capitalizing on their unique identity, assets and character. Mount Vernon was selected as a Main Street community in 2008, and practices economic development within the context of historic preservation.
About Main Street
The Main Street Approach is a copyrighted process of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The Program has been used in Iowa since 1986 with a total of 56 communities having participated. Mount Vernon was selected as a Main Street community on March 4, 2008, by the State of Iowa, after submitting a comprehensive application and presenting to a select board of reviewers.
