🚨 New $10,000 Grant Opportunity Now Open for Eagle River Small Businesses!

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Posted by Karen Margelofsky, Executive Director, Eagle River Revitalization Program

July 16, 2025

Attention Eagle River business owners—an exciting grant opportunity just launched this morning, and the application window is very short!

Main Street America and American Express have opened applications for the 2025 Backing Small Businesses Grant, offering $10,000 to independently owned brick-and-mortar small businesses in commercial districts like ours. This is a nationwide opportunity, but our local businesses in the Eagle River Business Improvement District are uniquely positioned to qualify thanks to our Main Street designation and historic downtown.

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💰 What the Grant Funds

This grant is designed to help businesses make meaningful improvements that benefit both your business and the broader community. Eligible uses include:

• Accessibility upgrades (physical or digital)

• Equipment and technology

• Physical improvements to your storefront

• Sustainability enhancements

• Community programming

• Marketing campaigns

Note: Funds cannot be used for payroll, debt repayment, or invoice payments, and utilities are capped at $2,000 or 20% of the award.

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🕒 Deadline Approaching Fast!

• Applications Opened: Today – Wednesday, July 16

• Applications Close: Thursday, July 31 at 11:59 p.m. CT

• Recipients Notified: October 2025

• Projects Must Be Completed: by December 31, 2025

Don’t wait! This grant is competitive and time-sensitive. It takes about an hour to complete the application, but you’ll want to give yourself time to write a clear, compelling project plan.

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✅ Who's Eligible?

You must meet the following criteria:

• Be a for-profit business with a physical storefront in a commercial district like downtown Eagle River

• Have 20 or fewer full-time employees

• Have been in operation since at least January 1, 2024

• Be located in your current storefront since January 1, 2025

• Be independently owned (no franchises or corporate chains)

• Be in good legal standing and hold all necessary licenses

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📍Apply Now

Head straight to the application page here:
👉 Apply for the $10,000 Backing Small Businesses Grant

Learn more about the program and watch an informational webinar here:
👉 Backing Small Businesses Program Overview

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🌟 Bonus Opportunity: $30,000 Enhancement Grant

If selected for the $10K grant and your project is successfully completed, you’ll be eligible for a second round of funding—$30,000—through a competitive enhancement round in early 2026.

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We strongly encourage all eligible BID businesses to apply. If you have questions or would like to brainstorm a potential project, please reach out to me directly at karen@eagleriverrevitalization.org.

Let’s bring more investment and energy into downtown Eagle River—one project at a time!

Warmly,
Karen Margelofsky
Executive Director
Eagle River Revitalization Program
www.eagleriverrevitalization.org

Originally posted by Eagle River Revitalization Program, Inc. via Locable