The Greater Niles Chamber of Commerce is spreading the word about business development grant opportunities available in the area.
Chamber Director Ryan Boeskool tells us the Business Development Grant is possible thanks to an endowment created with the 2019 sale of Four Flags Plaza.
“Just to help spur some economic growth in town with no specific direction in terms of what kinds of projects,” Boeskool said. “So, there’s quite a bit of latitude for us to take a look at what’s happening in the community and try to prioritize where the money would be most well placed.”
Boeskool says the chamber makes $80,000 per year available through the grant program.
The chamber approaches potential recipients and takes applications from those who are interested. One recent recipient is Sticky Spoons Jam.
“They needed some support, kind of taking the next step with their small manufacturing facility of food items. They needed new shelving, needed new label makers, and we’re just able to help fill the gap.”
Another recipient is the Underground Laugh Lounge, the new comedy club in town.
Boeskool says grant amounts last year ranged from $7,000 to $25,000.
Any entrepreneur interested in the program can learn more at the chamber’s website.
