Do you have a great business idea? Have you always wanted to own a business in downtown Coon Rapids? Is your current business planning to expand services or add a new product line? Do you have a piece of equipment you wish you could purchase for your business?

Main Street Coon Rapids is looking for interested entrepreneurs who could use $28,000 to expand and grow their business idea within the Coon Rapids 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 Coon Rapids 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 February 15.  Click here to download the application for the competition.

There will be a live contest pitch at during the Iowa Downtown Conference in the fall. 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. Be creative and have fun!

Each designated Main Street community may submit one local business applicant that will represent their community at the state competition at a location and date to be determined by the Main Street Iowa team.

For complete details about this program, please contact Main Street Coon Rapids Executive Director, Katie Mason, at  [email protected] or call 712-999-GROW. Interested applicants may also reach out to Robin Bostrom, Business Specialist, Iowa Downtown Resource Center/Main Street Iowa at 515-348-6176 or [email protected].

Marketing Flyer
Competition Guidelines
Contest Rules
Scoring Criteria

406 Main Street, Coon Rapids, IA 50058 | 712-999-GROW | [email protected]