ST. GEORGE — The Iron County Economic Opportunity Board and Cedar City Business & Innovation Center will administer $60,000 in funding through the Small Business Grant program, which allows businesses in Iron County to submit pre-applications from Dec. 15 to Jan. 12, 2024 for incentives that promote economic growth.
Stock image | Photo by nortonrsx/iStock/Getty Images Plus, St. George News
The pre-application process will determine preliminary eligibility for funding assistance, according to a press release issued by Cedar City. Distribution of funding is dependent on the quantity and quality of applications. Key components to evaluate the pre-applications include a business project description, general company information, business development and job creation potential.
“A lack of capital causes significant challenges for small businesses,” Joni Anderson, director of the Southern Utah University Business Center, said in the news release. “The Cedar City Business & Innovation Center encourages Iron County’s small businesses to seize this opportunity to help foster our growing and thriving business community.”
Project examples outlined in the Application Instructional Packet include:
Infrastructure developments
Construction of a new building/ adding to an existing building
New or upgraded equipment or machinery
Value-added agriculture expansion projects
New or uncommon industry investment
Business-related technology or services
Business start-up costs
Previous grant funding recipients include Ala Chelle Catering, American Fireline, Gem Awards, Little Village Resort and Yummy Tummy Sweets Bakery.
“The small business grant we received through this program helped us tremendously in obtaining much-needed equipment to get up and running before our grand opening,” said Chelsey Durand, owner of Yummy Tummy Sweets Bakery. “We are now fully up and running and couldn’t have done that without the help from this grant.”
A custom cake and cupcakes by Yummy Tummy Sweets Bakery are pictured, location and date unspecified | Photo by Chelsey Durand, St. George News
Business owners are invited to explore the Application Instructional Packet online at this website to prepare in anticipation of the pre-application window. The Business & Innovation Center partners will review pre-applications and narrow down finalists after the Jan. 12, 2024, deadline. If selected to move forward, businesses will be invited to fill out a full application for the Iron County Economic Opportunity Board to review.
As part of the grant requirements, awardees must provide at least a one-to-one funding match.
“Small businesses often get weighed down managing the day-to-day and simply trying to fund their businesses,” David Johnson, economic development director for Cedar City and Iron County, said in the press release. “This grant opportunity allows small business owners to focus on what they do best and help their dream become a reality.”
For more information about the Iron County Small Business Grant and the requirements to qualify, visit this website.