This annual Small Business Grant Contest is put on by WCEDC as part of our commitment to helping small businesses grow in Warren County. In 2024 grants totaling $19K will be awarded to the top three businesses in two categories - Existing Business and Start-Up Business.

CONTEST TIMELINE

Aug. 1, 2024 - Applications open
Sept. 3, 2024 - Deadline to Enter - Entries will be accepted through midnight
Sept. 13, 2024 - Notification of Top Three Finalists in each grant category
Sept. 24, 2024 - Finalist Presentation and Judging to determine 1st, 2nd, 3rd place in each category

EXISTING BUSINESS CRITERIA

Less than 10 full-time employees
Must have at least 2 full-time employees (can include the owner(s), 2 part-time employees can equal 1 full-time equivalent)
A physical commercial location is not required to apply, but businesses that do have an existing commercial location will be scored higher. You will need to explain how you plan to have a physical location within the next twelve months in order to capture points in this category
Business must be located in Warren County, IA
Grant funds may not be used for general on-going operating expenses, to pay off previous debt, or for reimbursement of expenses already incurred

START UP BUSINESS CRITERIA

Future business must be located in Warren County
Must plan to open a commercial location within two years
Must plan to have at least two full-time employees within three years (can include the owner(s))
Grant funds may not be used for general on-going operating expenses, to pay off previous debt, or for reimbursement of expenses already incurred

THE 2024 CONTEST IS CLOSED
PLEASE CHECK BACK IN AUGUST 2025

HELPFUL RESOURCE - Click HERE for a copy of the application questions to use as you plan out your answers for the online application.

APPLICATION SCORING

Business Description and Mission
Products and Services
Market Potential and Competition
Marketing and Sales
Operations and Management
Financials
How Grant Funds Will Be Used
Overall Economic Impact Potential

GRANT CONTEST & EVENT

Applications will be scored and three finalists in each category will be selected. Finalists will each have 10 minutes to present in front of a panel of judges at the grant contest event on Tuesday, September 24th, 2024. The winners in each category will be announced at the end of the event.

A total of $19,000 will be awarded as follows:

EXISTING BUSINESS GRANT AWARDS

1st Place - $6,000
2nd Place - $3,000
3rd Place - $1,500

START-UP BUSINESS GRANT AWARDS

1st Place - $5,000
2nd Place - $2,500
3rd Place - $1,000

2024 Warren County Small Business Grant Winners for Existing Business Category

2024 EXISTING BUSINESS GRANT AWARDS

Winners of the Existing Business Category for the Warren County Small Business Grant Contest are (L to R) Stephanie Bintner and Nikki Huetter from Bellflower Florist (3rd Place), Eric & Leslie Held from Bob's Custom Trophies (1st Place), and Bob Fox from The Groggy Dog (2nd Place).

2024 Warren County Small Business Contest Start Up Winners

2024 START-UP BUSINESS GRANT AWARDS

The Start Up Business Category winners shown are (L to R) Allyson Orwig from Orwig Dental (2nd Place), Patsy Taylor from The Kiln Room (3rd Place), and Nicci & Jeremy Whalen from Back Alley Bikes (1st Place).

Read about the full event