Open 4 Business Grant
This grant opportunity is designed to encourage business expansion in Main Street districts. Eligible expenses are inventory, equipment, marketing, computers, software upgrades (etc). Business must provide a 25% match. Awards range from $8k-$28k. A local contest is held in March/April and West Branch's winner competes for state funding with an application due in May, awards in August.
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Questions? Contact Main Street Director, Jessi Simon at mainstreetwestbranch@gmail.com
OPEN 4 BUSINESS
2025 Applications will be available in Mid-March.
HOW TO APPLY
MSWB will select one local project to submit for the Open 4 Business grant competition at the state level. To be considered start by completing the form below for the local contest. This will require a short application, budget and an in-person pitch to a panel of judges in West Branch (date TBD in mid-April). Winner of the local contest will work with MSWB to compete for state funding.
STATE CONTEST
Winner of the local contest will work with MSWB to complete the grant application by May 1, 2025. Applicant will be required to submit a 5-minute "video pitch" about their business idea. The video pitch is a sample video that tells about your plans and how you would invest Open 4 Business grant funds to help expand and grow your business. Videos can be recorded using a cell phone and will be judged on content. Be creative and have fun!
POSSIBLE PROJECTS
ELIGIBLE EXPENSES
Inventory
Equipment
Marketing
Computers
Software Upgrades
INELIGIBLE EXPENSES
Rent
Utilities
Remodeling
Facade Improvements
Payroll
Vehicles