Business & Innovation Support Grant

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Grant Amount : $5,500 - $15,500

About

Small businesses are the backbone of our local economy. The events of 2020 and the continual effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have either delayed plans for businesses or created daily operational hurdles. The City of Marion seeks to provide relief by providing capital on a matching basis for innovation, expansion, and growth to Marion businesses.

The Business Innovation & Support Grant targets small businesses with 1-10 employees, granting them dollars ranging from $5,500 to $15,500. Each award comes with up to 5 hours of mandatory business counseling by a pre-approved business coach ($500 will be reserved from each cash award for the counseling/coaching fee).

How do I Qualify?

Applicants should demonstrate an entrepreneurial approach to navigating the small business hardships of 2020-2022 and an innovative plan to thrive and grow through this business support grant.

Businesses must be located in Marion, Iowa.
Priority is given to small businesses in retail, food service, arts and entertainment, hospitality and service, fitness, personal service, and transportation and fully operational as of Sept. 1, 2020.
Ineligible businesses include adult entertainment; cigar, cigarette, electronic cigarette, and tobacco dealers; check cashing, bail bonds, salvage services, fireworks sales; and auto dealerships.
To determine the grant request level, applicants will need to create an itemized list of how they would use the grant funding. Eligible uses include production equipment, office equipment (software & hardware), expansion expenses, marketing, remodeling, product expansion, signage.
Ineligible uses include property payments, accounts payable, debts, rent, utilities, payroll, interest, raw materials, medication, alcohol, tobacco, or items purchased for resale.