Businesses need to apply soon for Main Street money

By: Mike Conley | McDowell News
Published: March 15, 2010

Marion's downtown businesses need to apply as soon as they can if they want to take part in a new statewide grant program.
Marion is one of 95 cities eligible to take part in the new Main Street Solutions Fund. This is a $1.95 million state-funded grant program, administered by the state Department of Commerce through its Division of Community Assistance.
The program's purpose is to provide maximum support to small businesses in those communities by:
· Providing direct financial benefits to small businesses.
· Retaining and creating jobs in association with small business.
· Spurring private investment in association with small business.
The Main Street Solutions Fund is intended to strengthen the local economy and boost downtowns. The program can help local businesses grow and prosper in North Carolina's small cities and towns. However, time is short. The application deadline for the state is Thursday, April 15 at 5 p.m.
But interested downtown business owners will need to act even sooner than that.
The local applications will be submitted to Freddie Killough, executive director of the Marion Business Association. She has already sent letters to eligible businesses and individuals informing them about the grant program.
Killough will then take the applications and submit them to the Marion City Council. City officials will decide which ones should be turned into the state in time for the April 15th deadline.
"Council talked about making job creation a top priority but council will consider any application that is submitted," said City Manager Bob Boyette.
Because of this process and the state's deadline, Boyette said interested businesses should get their applications into the MBA as soon as they can.
Given the limited funding, the state Department of Commerce considers this new fund as a pilot program. No more than a dozen projects across the state are expected to receive the awards. Grants will range from $20,000 to $300,000.
If awarded, a small business can use the grant money for either property acquisition or building renovation work.
Marion is eligible to take part in this fund because it is a part of the state's Main Street program. Local governments can apply for the grant money as well. Any eligible local government, in collaboration with the local Main Street organization or downtown development organization, and the small businesses that will directly benefit from these funds may apply for a grant.