It is National Small Business Week; here is one way we are supporting our downtown businesses
Small businesses are the heart of our downtowns, giving each city core a unique personality that keeps people coming back. The Downtown Davenport Partnership (DDP) and Downtown Bettendorf Organization (DBO), both Chamber affiliates, support these small businesses through grant programs that create momentum for additional investment and growth.
Mississippi River Distilling Company is expanding the LeClaire, Iowa, business and planning to open a second location at 318 East 2nd St., Davenport, in June. “We felt the business would be a nice fit with all the things going on in downtown Davenport and started asking around to see what was available,” said owner Ryan Burchette. He reached out to the DDP team. “They were excited about the project and jumped into the game, letting us know it was important to them and then supported it through its grant programs,” he said.
Mississippi River Distilling Company was awarded a Design Assistance Grant and a Commercial Interior Improvement Grant. “The City of Davenport also supported our project through its Small Business Grant Program. All of that makes it really attractive when you are weighing your options,” Burchette said.
DDP offers five grant programs to support capital improvements, events and entrepreneurs. All of the funds it distributes are generated from the property owners within the Self Supported Municipal Improvement District (SSMID) assessment tax. DDP has granted $1.42 million for capital improvements within the SSMID and leveraged $11.7 million in private investment since 2008. Last year, as a way to help organizers enhance existing events and attract more cultural events to the city’s core, DDP launched an Event Grant Program and awarded nearly $7,000 across four events.
“These grants are a powerful tool in attracting and retaining businesses in downtown Davenport,” said Alisha Espey, DDP Director, Programs. “We are grateful to have funding available that can help mitigate costs for small businesses and for property owners to make improvements. These investments have a long-lasting impact on the overall health and growth of downtown. DDP staff is always available to assist entrepreneurs and/or property owners with new opportunities and future projects.”
Last year, the DBO launched a Façade Improvement and Commercial Interior Improvement Grant Program in partnership with the City of Bettendorf. Each contributed half of the $50,000 in funding made available to business and property owners within its SSMID. In the last 10 months, $31,440 in façade grants and $18,560 in interior grants were awarded to six businesses, which leveraged $277,627 in capital improvements.
“The goal of these grants is to take a project from good to great by investing in current infrastructure that may be vacant or underutilized. These grant dollars encourage development by providing dollars to small business owners to improve their buildings and/or encourage new growth within our districts,” said Ryan Jantzi, DBO Executive Director.
The Bulldog Arms owner Josh Howat was a DBO grant recipient. He opened the business at 1716 State St., Bettendorf in July 2020. Not a year later, he had to replace the furnace. Then last summer, the air conditioning system went out.
“I am super grateful to Ryan and the City of Bettendorf for being so forward thinking,” he said. “Just knowing that someone is in our corner working and facilitating for small businesses is another reason I believe Bettendorf is a great city to do business in, and I am really thankful,” he said.
Next year, DBO’s grant pool will increase to $75,000. DBO will provide $50,000 and the City will provide $25,000. DBO is accepting applications for the grants which will be available beginning July 1.
The Quad Cities Chamber, DDP and DBO provide additional support to small businesses, including access to market research and data-mining tools for free. In addition, the team can inform businesses about other financial resources, such as federal, state and local grants and incentive programs for which they may qualify.
“The grant programs are a win-win for everyone,” Burchette said.
-- Mississippi River Distilling Company photo (top of page) courtesy of Visit Quad Cities