Open4Business Competition 2020 now open

Do you have a great business idea?  Have you always wanted to own a business in downtown Jefferson?  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?

Jefferson Matters: Main Street is looking for interested entrepreneurs who could use $28,000 to expand and grow their business idea within the Jefferson 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 $28,000 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.

The Economic Vitality will choose the one candidate at their March 12 meeting.  Please contact Director Peg Raney at the Main Street Office if you would like to be considered.  Each designated Main Street community may submit one local business applicant that will represent Jefferson at the state competition held in Iowa City on July 27, 2020.

For more specifics about the application and requirements, please go to the JM:MS website at www.jeffersonmatters.org and look under Resources for Open4Business.

For complete details about this program, please contact Peg Raney at director@jeffersonmatters.org  or Robin Bostrom, Business Specialist, Iowa Downtown Resource Center/Main Street Iowa at 515.348.6176 or robin.bostrom@iowaEDA.com.

Open4Business

2020 Marketing flyer

Open 4 Business info sheet 2020

Judges Scoring Criteria2020

Copy of State Application

CONTEST RULES 2020

Budget Sample