“The money that was awarded came from the American Rescue Plan Act so the supervisors are doing a variety of things with that money and one of the projects that they put money towards was the Small Business Recovery Program,” said Jill Nelson, the community development director for the Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance.

“Our county Auditor Doreen Pliner came up with the idea of reinvesting in our communities. She was a huge part of this and we really appreciate everything she has done,” said Supervisor Mark Campbell.

Businesses applied in early October and then a selection committee comprised of individuals from the Growth Alliance, Iowa Central Small Business Development Center, and the county reviewed all of the applications and provided recommendations to the Board of Supervisors.

Nelson said in the application process, businesses had to explain how they were negatively impacted by COVID-19 and then they had to describe how they would use the funds.

-Messenger photo by Michaela Frerichs
Left, Webster County Supervisor Niki Conrad and Heather Applegate, right, owner of Studio Fusion smile after Conrad delivered the news that Applegate had been awarded a small business grant.

Campbell said preference was given to businesses that received little or no previous relief funds.

“We wanted to reinvest in our small businesses because they are the backbone of our county and communities. These businesses stuck it out through COVID and we appreciate what they do and want to make sure we can help them as much as possible,” said Campbell.

The supervisors awarded just over $205,000 to 27 Webster County businesses. The business owners were all excited when receiving the news.

“”I was overwhelmed with gratitude when Niki (Conrad) called to tell me. I cried. This grant will allow me to continue serving my clients, to bring on new business, and to hire a part-time copywriter and assistant,” said Kelli Bloomquist, who owns Kelli Bloomquist Media.

One stipulation for recipients is that they will need to set up a meeting with the Small Business Development Center to help them utilize the funds and prepare for future success.

-Submitted photo
From left, Supervisors Mark Campbell and Nick Carlson, owner of Addison James Boutique in Gowrie Jaci Hindt, and Webster County Recorder Lindsay Laufersweiler.

“They will meet with the Small Business Development Center and get them set up with accounting software if they need that, work on or improve business plans if they need that, and we will pay for each recipient to have four hours with them,” said Campbell.

The supervisors agreed this was a very exciting project.

“This is one of the best parts of my job. These small business grants are going to local businesses that contribute so much to our community. This is truly what the American Rescue Plan is all about, giving local economies a boost with the goal to build back better,” said Supervisor Niki Conrad.

“It was incredibly amazing to see the people receive that money,” said Cambell.

“We have a lot of very deserving business owners that are being awarded funds and they really contribute a lot to our community and our region,” said Nelson.

-Submitted photo
Colleen Peace of The Wellness Project excitedly hugs Webster County Supervisor Nick Carlson after receiving the news that she was awarded a small business grant.

Grant recipients include Hummingbird Confections in Callender, Jacci Addison Portrait Studio in Gowrie, Laughlin Auto Repair, Studio Fusion, Tonya Harrison in Gowrie, Kelli Bloomquist Media, Fort Dodge Tennis Club, Kelso General Merchandise in Dayton, Joseph M. Gilbert, Bodywork by Sheena, ARDEEJAY, Ponderosa Towing, Diane’s Total You Salon, Danielle Scherff, The Wellness Project, Trophies Unlimited, Community Grocery in Dayton, Zakeer’s, Custom Builders Cabinet Shop, Andrews Meat Products in Dayton, Gallentine Insurance in Dayton, Mason Janitorial, Lauren Roderick, KC Hauling, Toryn Pederson, Lost Grove Mercantile in Harcourt, and Ole Town Road Pub and Eatery in Gowrie.