NOW OPEN
Do you have a great business idea? Have you always wanted to own a business in downtown Fort Dodge? 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?
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Small businesses located within the Main Street Fort Dodge and other designated Main Street Iowa districts are invited to compete for up to $25,000.
Main Street Iowa’s annual Open 4 Business program supports existing businesses and revitalization in the more than 50 Main Street Iowa communities. For the contest, entrepreneurs will outline a business development or expansion idea, such as additional services and product offerings or needed equipment.
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ELIGIBLE EXPENSES: *Inventory *Equipment *Marketing ï‚ *Computers *Software Upgrades
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INELIGIBLE EXPENSES: *Rent ï‚ *Utilities ï‚ *Remodeling *Payroll for Employees ï‚ *Vehicles
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Eligible businesses are for-profit and have been operating at least one year in a Main Street district. In addition to the online application, applicants also must submit a short video highlighting their business project and how it will benefit their community’s economic climate. A 25% cash match is required.
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Only one application is allowed per Main Street community. To determine which local business will represent Main Street Fort Dodge, businesses must complete an application and submit a video telling about their business and how the Open 4 Business grant funds would be invested to help expand and grow their business. Videos will be judged on content and can be recorded with a cell phone; videos must not exceed 3 minutes in length. Entries will be judged on Main Street Iowa’s scoring criteria. The local winner will receive a $500 prize.
The deadline for the local competition is April 18. State competition applications must be submitted through the local program to Main Street Iowa by May 1. Main Street Iowa staff will review them for project impact within the designated Main Street district; business innovation; and opportunity for continued growth, enhanced revenue and sustainability. Virtual interviews will be held on June 2. Five finalists will advance to the state competition on Aug. 4 in Muscatine, where they will pitch their expansion ideas before a panel of judges.
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Download Application - Deadline for local submission is noon on Friday, April 18, 2025.
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​​Tools:​
Promotional Flyer-Past Recipients
Competition Rules & Regulations
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Open 4 Business launched in 2015 and over the past decade has awarded dollars to over 50 businesses across the state. Grants are administered through the Iowa Economic Development Authority’s (IEDA) Iowa Downtown Resource Center and Main Street Iowa programs.​​​
