(Corning) Main Street Corning is looking for interested entrepreneurs who could use $28,000 to expand and grow their business idea within the Corning Main Street district.
Marti Gebbie, Main Street Corning Director, said the Open 4 Business contest is now open. The Open 4 Business contest 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. Gebbie said you have to be a business within the Main Street Corning district and businesses must have been in operation for at least one year to apply.
“You can spend the money on your inventory, equipment, marketing, computers, software upgrades, so really it’s anything that you think that you would want to do in your business to expand it, to make it better,” said Gebbie
Two Main Street Corning businesses have won funding from the Open 4 Business contest in the past.
“Our first year that I was here we applied in 2018, it was Carvers Ridge, and they won the grand finale, they got all $28,000 which was just absolutely amazing for us and for them,” said Gebbie. “Then in 2019, RJ’s Plumbing entered into this competition and they walked away a second runner-up winning $13,000 towards 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.
Local application deadline for grant consideration is March 2nd. One local business applicant will represent Corning at the state competition held in Iowa City on July 28. For more information, contact Marti Gebbie at 641-322-3243.
(Photo credit: Main Street Corning)
