The Alexander County Economic Development Corporation (EDC) has announced a new grant program intended to help new businesses thrive and to encourage additional entrepreneurial efforts.
The Business Boost Grant program will focus on providing one-time Business Boost grants to businesses physically located in Alexander County. The grant program will assist small businesses which were created just before or during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Any small business created after January 1, 2018, is eligible to apply. Grant projects should be focused on at least one of the following areas: modifying physical space, improving an e-commerce site for online sales or building e-commerce platforms, expanding capacity for delivering goods and services, purchase of business equipment, accessibility compliance, materials for construction, additional fixtures required for compliance with public health issues, or other equipment or tools needed for creative adaptation and customer support.
“This grant program is made possible by the generosity of the Duke Energy Foundation, and I’m very appreciative of their efforts to support businesses in Alexander County,” said EDC Executive Director David Icenhour. “A total of $7,000 is available, and this grant program will be administered over a short period of time. I strongly encourage any interested business to apply immediately. We hope to see grants awarded in multiple communities across the county, but awards will be based on the quality of the applications with grant amounts based on the number of quality applications received.”
Icenhour noted that the Business Boost grants will be limited to a maximum of $2,000 and a minimum of $500. Any grant amount awarded must be matched by the business receiving the grant. Applications are due by 12:00 noon on January 16, 2023.
The grant application is available for download at the EDC website: www.alexanderedc.org. In addition, interested business owners may contact Business Development Manager Connie Kincaid at 828-352-7757 or ckincaid@alexandercountync.gov.