Several Marion small businesses will be receiving Business Innovation & Support grants as part of the city’s funding allocation from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).
The city council approved a total funding allocation of $400,000 to the program at their Sept. 8 meeting. Earlier this summer, the council approved $4.11 million in ARPA funding for water and sanitary sewer infrastructure improvement projects.
The city launched the small business grant program in July. It’s designed to provide financial relief on a matching basis for innovation, expansion, and growth to Marion businesses from Marion’s total $6 million ARPA allocation.
The Business Innovation & Support Grant is designed for small businesses with one to 10 employees. The grant provides funding ranging from $5,500 to $15,500, and each award comes with up to five hours of mandatory business counseling by a pre-approved business coach. $500 is reserved from each cash award for the coaching fee.
Businesses must be located in Marion, and priority will be given to small businesses in the retail, food service, arts and entertainment, hospitality and service, fitness, personal service, and transportation sectors.
Marion also approved an agreement with the Iowa Center for Economic Success to manage the ARPA small business grants program.
Program grant recipients, and the amounts they were awarded, are as follows:
- The Purple Wagon, $15,500
- DKW Arts, $12,500
- Goldfinch Tap, $15,500
- Uptown Snug, $15,500
- LYF Endeavors, $15,500
- Uptown Coffee Company, $15,500
- Revive Family Chiropractic, $15,500
- Expedited Warehouse Solutions, $10,500
- Giving Tree Theater, $15,500
- MIX Global Kitchen, $15,500
- Pasta of the Prairie, $15,500
- Marion Music Academy, $15,500
- Epiphany – Your Creative Spark, $15,500
- Creekside Turf Management, $15,500
- Synergy Metalworks, $15,500
- Brick Alley Pub & Sports Bar, $15,500
- Business & Talent Made Better, dba It Is All About You, $11,656
- Bistro 3Nineteen, $15,500
- Sweet Cheesecake, $15,500
- Lundall Hatt & Austad, $10,500
Applications will continue to be accepted until the funds have been exhausted. Learn more at www.cityofmarion.org/businessinnovationgrant.
