Open 4 Business Grant Opportunity is now open for applications

Are you Open 4 Business?

Do you have a great business idea? 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?

Main Street Ottumwa is looking for interested entrepreneurs who could use $25,000 to expand and grow their business idea within the Main Street Ottumwa district.  Main Street Iowa’s annual Open 4 Business program supports existing businesses and revitalization in the more than 50 Main Street Iowa communities. For the contest, entrepreneurs will outline a business development or expansion idea, such as additional services and product offerings or needed equipment. 

Eligible businesses are for-profit and have been operating for at least one year in a Main Street district. In addition to the online application, applicants also must submit a short video highlighting their business project and how it will benefit their community’s economic climate. A 25% cash match is required. Only one application is allowed per Main Street community. 

The Economic Vitality Committee will choose one candidate to apply for the state contest.  Please contact the Main Street Ottumwa Office if you would like to be considered.  The local deadline is April 4, 2025 at 5 pm.

State competition applications must be submitted through the local program to Main Street Iowa by May 1. Main Street Iowa staff will review them for project impact within the designated Main Street district; business innovation; and opportunity for continued growth, enhanced revenue and sustainability. Five finalists will advance to the state competition on Aug. 4 in Muscatine, where they will pitch their expansion ideas before a panel of judges.

Open 4 Business launched in 2015 and over the past decade has awarded dollars to over 50 businesses across the state. Grants are administered through the Iowa Economic Development Authority’s (IEDA) Iowa Downtown Resource Center and Main Street Iowa programs.

For complete details about this program, please contact director@mainstreeetottumwa.com or visit https://www.mainstreetottumwa.com/open4biz to download the local application or contact Brooke Prouty at brooke.prouty@iowaeda.com.