Open 4 Business Contest Now Open
Oskaloosa Main Street
Do you have a great business idea? Have you always wanted to own a business in downtown Oskaloosa? Is your current business planning to expand services or add a new product line? Do you have a piece of equipment you wish you could purchase for your business?
Oskaloosa Main Street is looking for interested entrepreneurs who could use $20,000 to expand and grow their business idea within the Oskaloosa Main Street district. The Open 4 Business contest, launched in 2015, is an opportunity for businesses located within a state-designated Main Street district, to compete for a chance to win up to $20,000 in grant funds to assist with a business development or expansion project that will help them grow their business. Businesses must complete an online application and submit a short video outlining their business idea and how it will benefit the local economic climate in their community. A 25% cash match is required. Businesses must have been in operation for at least 1 year to apply. The grant funds are administered by the Iowa Economic Development Authority’s Downtown Resource Center and Main Street Iowa program.
Stop by the Oskaloosa Main Street office to pick up an application and instructions for the local grant competition. Deadline for applications to be submitted the local program is April 15, 2019 by 4 pm at the Oskaloosa Main Street office, 222 1st Avenue East. Each designated Main Street community may submit one local business applicant that will represent Oskaloosa at the state competition held in Des Moines on June 27, 2019. Local businesses could win up to $20,000 to help support their business expansion idea.
Main Street staff strongly encourage applicants to review program information, rules, and guidelines. These documents can be provided through Oskaloosa Main Street upon request.
For complete details about this program, please contact Emily Brown at 641.672.2591 or by email ebrown@oacdg.org, or Robin Bostrom, Business Specialist, Iowa Downtown Resource Center/Main Street Iowa at 515.348.6176 or robin.bostrom@iowaEDA.com.
