Perry Pride Business Booster: Grant Fund

The Perry Chamber of Commerce and Foundation, along with the City of Perry and Perry Economic Development are collaborating as a local Economic Recovery Task Force to develop a Business Modernization and Protection Grant program, each contributing and seeking additional funding sources. 

Phase 1 of this project is fundraising, with the total goal of $100,000 which includes this Perry Pride Business Booster campaign. This would allow for 12-20 grants to Perry businesses in the amount of $1500 - $7500 in Phase 2.

Why the Perry Pride Business Booster Fundraising Campaign?
Businesses have experienced various levels of disruption due to the COVID-19 global pandemic and resulting Public Health Disaster Declaration. Mandated closures, adjustments to operations, and weakened consumer confidence have adversely impacted local businesses and therefore the local economy. Those able to best weather the storm were businesses with technology already in place that allowed them to pivot their operations and offerings to better suit the needs and preferences of their customers. Others were unable to adapt without adopting new systems - an investment not possible for most during such economic strains - making it increasingly difficult to overcome past and current disruptions, let alone face continued and unknown future disruptions.

State and Federal COVID-19 relief programs have primarily focused on loss during closure and disruption, but little to no assistance has been available for adapting to new norms and preparing for the future. Like so many other communities across the country, Perry has faced significant challenges with COVID-19. The recent Derecho across Iowa added insult to injury to many area businesses, shifting focus to cleanup and physical rebuilding needs - without FEMA assistance - and disrupting what had been a steady effort to simply rebuild businesses’ bottom line. In order to maintain the vibrancy of our community without losing any businesses to the pandemic, we must shift our focus to directly support businesses seeking to become more prepared for and resilient to continued and future economic disruptions.

It is increasingly apparent that businesses will continue to struggle in the current economic climate, especially with restrictions and even mandated closures possible in the near future. Regardless of industry, businesses must evolve and modernize in order to survive, yet need assistance to do so. 

Perry’s Economic Recovery Task Force has secured funding to facilitate a Business Modernization & Protection Grant program to provide an opportunity for businesses to invest in improvements they otherwise would not be able to during this time (i.e. online ordering for curbside pick-up, automated inventory management, advanced communications systems, e-commerce and shipping).  However, the scope and capacity of the program will be determined by overall fundraising efforts. In addition to seeking funding from several community foundations, the Task Force is launching a second Perry Pride Business Booster campaign to bolster community support of the grant fund. The goal is to assist 12-20 Perry businesses in modernizing and sustaining their operations to become more resilient to future disruptions. Local fundraising will be key in this effort, not only to increase the total funding available to businesses by garnering community support through this crowdfunding platform, but also to elevate awareness of the importance to support local businesses, especially during this time.