Main Street Mt. Pleasant to host local business contest

Main Street Mt. Pleasant is looking for interested entrepreneurs who could use $28,000 to launch or grow their business idea within the Mt. Pleasant 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 benefit the local community.

Businesses must complete an application and present a ?business pitch? to a panel of judges outlining their business idea and how it will benefit the local economic climate in their community. A 25 percent cash match is required.

The grant funds are administered by the Iowa Economic Development Authority?s Downtown Resource Center and Main Street Iowa program.

Main Street Mt. Pleasant will be holding a local competition. All applications must be submitted to Main Street Mt. Pleasant by May 2, 2016, to be eligible for the contest. Applications are available at the Mt. Pleasant Area Chamber Alliance office or online at www.mountpleasantiowa.org.

Each designated Main Street community may submit one local business applicant that will represent Mt. Pleasant at the sub-state competitions held in five locations across the state on June 13-16, 2016. Sub-state winners will receive $8,000 and advance to the state contest, which will be held in Mason City, the evening of Aug. 2, 2016. The state winner will receive an additional $20,000.

For complete details about this program, contact Lisa Oetken at 319-385-3101 or loetken@mountpleasantiowa.org; or Robin Bostrom, Business Specialist, Iowa Downtown Resource Center/Main Street Iowa at 515-725-3053 or robin.bostrom@iowa.gov.