Main Street Fort Dodge is looking for interested entrepreneurs who could use $28,000 to expand and grow their business idea within the Fort Dodge Main Street district.

The Open 4 Business contest, launched in 2015, is an opportunity for businesses located within a state-designated Main Street district, to compete for a chance to win up to $28,000 in grant funds to assist with a business development or expansion project that will help them grow their business.

Businesses must complete an online application and submit a short video outlining their business idea and how it will benefit the local economic climate in their community. A 25% cash match is required. Businesses must have been in operation for at least one year to apply.

The grant funds are administered by the Iowa Economic Development Authority’s Downtown Resource Center and Main Street Iowa program.

Main Street Fort Dodge is holding a local contest for existing businesses within the Main Street District. The local winner will receive $250. The business should fill a gap that currently exists within our district.

The deadline for local applications is March 6 at noon. Applications are available at mainstreetfd.org

There will be a live contest pitch at Iowa Central Community College BioScience Auditorium on March 10 at 6 p.m.. Businesses will be required to complete an online application and submit a five-minute “video pitch” about their business idea.

The video pitch is a simple video that tells about the business and how they would invest the Open 4 Business grant funds to help expand and grow their business.

Videos will be judged on content and can be recorded with a smart phone. Videos cannot exceed 5 minutes.

The selected business owner has the opportunity to work with Iowa Central broadcast students to edit their video for the state submittal.

Each designated Main Street community may submit one local business applicant that will represent their community at the state competition held in Iowa City on July 27.

For complete details about this program, please contact Kris Patrick at kris@mainstreetfd.org or call 515-573-3172 or Robin Bostrom, Business Specialist, Iowa Downtown Resource Center/Main Street Iowa at 515-348-6176 or robin.bostrom@iowaEDA.com/