The Boone City Council will be giving final approval of the proposed new Build Boone grant program for business start ups focused on the Downtown area this upcoming meeting on Monday, August 5th.
One of the goals set by the Boone Mayor and City Council last fall was to help revitalize the downtown area. Designed to be partnered with all current local economic development programs like Jumpstart Boone and BDIF, this new grant will be focus special emphasis on particular businesses and services identified in a community retail survey as wanted. The survey was conducted in a partnership of the Boone County Chamber of Commerce and the City of Boone
This program also has potential to partner with the ISU Research Park and ISU Start Up Factory. “That type of new collaboration I believe will be a great benefit to the community and our downtown efforts. By recruiting new business owners and also working with long established Boone businesses to keep them strong, helps us all,” says Councilmember Greg Pikapp
Special consideration will be given to prospects looking to start up one of the following businesses in downtown Boone:
* Restaurant, Deli or other retail food service
* Sports Bar/Pub/Grill
* Recreational or entertainment venue for youth
* Sporting goods, craft or hobby
* Product niche and/or gift store
Grant will fund:
* Capital expenditures related to the purchase of a downtown building
* Building improvements (structural or aesthetic)
* Expenses relating to the purchase of machinery, equipment or tools needed to operate the business
* Marketing or Advertising campaigns
* Signage
* Utility expenses
City of Boone has pledged $5,000 and Boone County Economic Growth has matched with another $5,000 for a total of $10,000, $2500 for 4 individual business grants available.
For complete details please visit City of Boone webpage later in August and applications. https://www.boonegov.com/
