The Wilkes Economic Development Corporation's Downtown Boro’s Small Business Grant Program aims to support and revitalize downtown businesses in North Wilkesboro and Wilkesboro, North Carolina. This initiative directly aligns with a mission to foster economic growth and stability within the local community by empowering small businesses to expand and improve their operations. The program offers grants of up to $5,000, designed to provide crucial financial assistance for eligible businesses.
The primary target beneficiaries of this grant program are downtown businesses in North Wilkesboro or Wilkesboro that have been in operation for more than one year. The impact goal is to strengthen these small businesses, enabling them to enhance their e-commerce capabilities, improve physical spaces, and expand their capacity for delivering goods and services. By investing in these businesses, the program seeks to contribute to the overall economic vibrancy and resilience of the downtown areas.
The program's priorities and focuses are clearly defined: funding may be used for modifying equipment or physical space, enhancing e-commerce for online sales, or expanding service delivery capacity. Specific eligible expenditures include furniture for expanded seating, renovations, accessibility compliance, and other essential equipment or tools necessary for successful business growth. Importantly, the program explicitly excludes payroll, rent, and utilities as eligible expenses, ensuring that funds are directed towards strategic growth initiatives rather than operational overhead.
The expected outcomes of the Downtown Boro’s Small Business Grant Program include improved infrastructure for participating businesses, increased online sales capabilities, and an expanded capacity to serve customers. Measurable results could involve tracking the number of businesses that undergo renovations, implement new e-commerce platforms, or expand their physical footprint. The underlying strategic priority is local economic development, driven by the theory of change that direct investment in small business growth will lead to a stronger, more dynamic downtown economy.
