Main Street Iowa Challenge Grants are available for qualifying Indianola businesses, offering funds for brick-and-mortar building projects that enhance designated Main Street Iowa districts. Highly competitive applications include:
· Projects that incorporate quality design and preservation-based strategies.
· Projects that align with the unique goals and priorities identified by your local district.
· Impactful building rehabilitation projects that increase business, housing or job opportunities.
· Projects that demonstrate a need for additional funding to fill a financial gap.
· Projects with a well-defined scope of work that can be completed within the two-year grant contract period.
Residential use in first-floor storefront spaces, building demolition or destruction, or government or religious buildings are not eligible for the grant. Grant awards range from $25,000 to $100,000. Design assistance requests are due by July 30th, and the grants are due by August 27th, with a recipient announced later this fall. Find more information below.