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Twenty-five small business owners across the country have been awarded $25,000 Enhancement Grants through the Backing Small Businesses grant program, presented by American Express and Main Street America. The 25 small businesses receiving enhancement grants represent 19 states and Puerto Rico. Earlier this year, each of these recipients also received $5,000 as part of a 350-member cohort. Including the awards announced today and the awards granted in the summer, the program will have provided nearly $4 million in grants to 680 small business owners nationwide, more than $2.3 million of that granted in 2023.
In 2021, American Express and Main Street America created the grant program to help economically vulnerable small business owners recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and grow their businesses. In its first year, the program provided $1.65 million in grants to 330 small business owners across the country. Now in its second year, the program increased the number of grants awarded to 350 and total funding to more than $2.3 million to further support small business owners.
“We are truly thrilled to provide additional support to our country’s small business owners through the Backing Small Businesses program, along with our partners at American Express,” said Main Street America President and CEO Erin Barnes. “These enhancement grants are no small thing – and will go far in helping our neighborhood and downtown entrepreneurs build capacity, spur innovation, and support economic development efforts in their home communities.”
Abadir’s | Greensboro, Alabama
Aliso Roots Community Collective | Albuquerque, New Mexico
Barbie Behavior Boutique | Oak Park, Michigan
Botanica Florals | Montpelier, Vermont
Brewability Lab | Englewood, Colorado
Brookside Bar & Grill | Marine on St Croix, Minnesota
Buffalo Barkery | Buffalo, New York
Chico’s Classic Barbershop | Vancouver, Washington
Complete Family Dental | Chesterton, Indiana
Cornerstone Coffee and Co | Albany, Georgia
Creative Little Rascals | La Habra, California
Elemento | Angola, Indiana
Garden Sass | Russellville, Arkansas
Injertia Manases | Hatillo, Puerto Rico
JB’s Record Lounge | Atlanta, Georgia
Make Manifest BK | Brooklyn, New York
New Century Art Gallery| Marine City, Michigan
New Moon Vegan | Batavia, Illinois
NoodleBird | Chicago, Illinois
Soft Corner Midwifery | Bath, Maine
SUGARED | Clarksboro, New Jersey
Sugarwitch | Saint Louis, Missouri
The Candle Company | West Allis, Wisconsin
The Chelsea St. Pete | St. Petersburg, Florida
Uvalde School of Gymnastics | Uvalde, Texas
This program marks the latest effort in American Express’ “Backing Small” initiative to provide financial support and resources to independent small business owners who are serving their communities. Other Backing Small programs include the Coalition to Back Black Businesses and Backing Historic Small Restaurants. Backing Small complements American Express’ Shop Small, a global year-round movement to champion small, independent businesses.
Learn more about the Backing Small Businesses grant program.
Learn about additional funding opportunities through Main Street America.
Join host Matt Wagner for his conversation with Rachael Kehler, owner of The Peppermint Stick Candy Store in Boyertown, Pennsylvania. In this episode, Matt and Rachael discuss her journey to entrepreneurship, leveraging nostalgia as a marketing tool, small town tourism, and more.
Discover how small businesses are breaking barriers in our Breaking Barriers to Business (B3) series, starting with a powerful spotlight on Nashville’s local changemakers.
As part of a new series on Main Street America’s online store, Shop Main Street, we're highlighting the stories behind the amazing brands, makers, and producers along our Main Streets. Today, we’re highlighting DANE Fragrance, a perfumery based in Ukiah, California.
