The Small Grant Program for Cities in Jasper County, that’s run through Jasper County Economic Development Corporation, is being funded for another year. On Tuesday, the Jasper County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved Jasper County Economic Development Corporation Executive Director Jeff Davidson’s request for another $25,000 to operate the program for another year. 

“What we are trying to do is support economic development projects that increase the property tax base and/or create jobs. Those are the two main criteria we use for evaluating small grant projects. It’s a very flexible program otherwise.”

Davidson said the Small Grant Program currently has a balance of $5,000. The maximum grant amount under the program is $10,000. The program will cover up to 75% of a project’s total cost, with the applying city paying the remaining 25%.  Over the past year, Davidson says program funds have been used on a $12,000 project that has allowed Station Street Bicycle Shop in Mingo to add grocery and convenience items to their store. The City of Sully was awarded the maximum grant amount of $10,000 to help cover the $23,500 cost of developing a new Comprehensive Plan for the community. The City of Baxter also received the maximum grant amount for their $23,333 Comprehensive Plan. Another $10,000 grant went to the City of Colfax for the $39,350 internal office build-out of the Gard Building on North Walnut Street.