Five businesses from Main Street Iowa communities across the state competed in the final round of the Open 4 Business contest.
All of them received awards presented by Gov. Kim Reynolds and Debi Durham, director of the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) and Iowa Finance Authority.
According to a news release, Tangles Salon in Keokuk topped four competitors in a statewide pitch contest held Aug. 1 in Sioux City. Two businesses based in the Corridor also received recognition.
“Let me tell you how tough this was – everyone is going home a winner,” Durham said. “The ideas pitched by these small business owners reflect the creativity, community spirit and strength of Main Streets and downtowns across Iowa.”
Tarla Price, who owns Tangles Salon, won a $20,000 grant for a salon expansion that also includes a new boutique and an apprenticeship program for cosmetologists.
The first runner-up, Iowa Running Company in Cedar Rapids, won $15,000. The second runner-up, Heron Kross in Ottumwa, won $10,000.
Two honorable mentions, Glyn Mawr Winery– The Local in Mount Vernon and The Serving Café in West Branch, each won $5,000.
According to the release, the contest drew 20 applicants, which a first-round panel of judges narrowed to five finalists in June. On Tuesday, Aug. 1, each finalist had five minutes to pitch their ideas to the following state-level judges: Lisa Shimkat of America’s Small Business Development Center Iowa; Vada Grantham of Des Moines Area Community College; Rand Fisher of Iowa Area Development Group; and Deb Giarusso of Advance Iowa.
This is the ninth year of the Open 4 Business contest, which is open to businesses in the 54 Main Street Iowa districts across the state.
The grants are administered through IEDA’s Iowa Downtown Resource Center and Main Street Iowa programs.
