Davenport business community opens entrepreneurial contest

Hilltop Campus Village in Davenport is seeking entrepreneurs who can bring innovative ideas to life and expand their business within the Main Street district of the campus.

Executive director Brain Kramer has announced the “Open for Business” contest that is looking for businesses in a Main Street district that is designated by the state to foster growth and development in the community. The contest was established in 2015 and will offer up to $28,000 in grant funding to help expand or develop a project that will help grow a business. The awarding of this grant is more than a financial bonus for a business, but it is also designed to act as a catalyst for broader economic development and enhancement to the community of Hilltop Campus Village.

The Downtown Resource Center and Main Street Iowa program of the Iowa Economic Development Authority Downtown Resource Center is the administer of the program.

The application process is an opportunity for local businesses to describe how they can use the grant for growing their business, whether it is expanding new product lines, expanding the services they offer, or purchasing equipment needed.

Flyer printing can be used to provide more details about the criteria for such contests and their benefits for entrepreneurs.

Those who are interested in applying for this grant must make their intention known by Friday, March 15. Submissions of grant proposals are due by Monday May 1.