Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Small Business Support topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
CEO Board sets aside $50,000 to pilot small-business grants modeled on peer counties
Summary
The board voted to set aside $50,000 of rural county grant funds to pilot a small-business grant program modeled on Iron County’s process, including objective eligibility criteria, partial reimbursements and coaching for applicants; Pat (Speaker 2) will lead the program design in early 2025.
The Kane County Economic Opportunity Board on Dec. 2 set aside $50,000 to pilot a small-business grants program using the county's rural county grant funds, following a presentation on a successful Iron County model.
Speaker 2 described Iron County’s approach—standardized eligibility, an objective evaluation rubric, partial upfront payments with later reimbursement, required matching funds and coaching for unsuccessful applicants—and proposed the CEO Board adopt a similar system to distribute funds to local small businesses. He volunteered to lead program development in 2025.
Board members debated timing and program design, noting overlap with Raising Cane's business challenge but distinguishing the grant program as a competitive, rubric-driven award designed to reach a different set of businesses, including contractors and service providers. Speaker 5 moved to set aside $50,000 for the pilot; the motion was seconded and passed by voice vote.
The board directed staff to work with Speaker 2 to draft criteria and an application system in January and to ensure robust oversight so funds are spent as intended. The board discussed promotion through the chamber and county business lists to reach diverse business types.
