Main Street Iowa Competition

posted in Chamber of Commerce on April 15, 2015

Main Street Iowa is excited to announce a new program to encourage business development efforts in Iowa’s Main Street districts around the state!  The OPEN 4 BUSINESS competition is designed to help local Main Street programs provide financial and technical support for businesses that improve Iowa’s Main Street districts.  Sustainable businesses that will grow and thrive within your district are the desired outcome.  Think Shark Tank – Main Street style!  Attached are several documents that explain the program.  Here are the basics:

• Each local Main Street district can submit one business to represent their program
• Local entries are due to Main Street Iowa by 4:00 p.m. June 1, 2015
• We encourage you to have a local competition to select who best represents your district.  It is recommended that you follow the judges scoring criteria and “Sales Pitch” guidelines provided to ensure consistency.
• Business must be located within your designated Main Street district
• Business must be a for-profit business.  Business should fill a gap that currently exists within your Main Street district.
• Businesses are required to complete the attached entry form which is then submitted by the local program director.  Electronic submissions are preferred although hard copies will be allowed if received by the contest deadline.
• Businesses will also be required to make a 15 minute “sales pitch” about their business to a panel of judges.  Please see the attached Business Pitch Tips sheet for full details.
• Regional pitches will be held June 22-25, 2015 at the following locations:  Jefferson, Czech Village/New Bohemia (Cedar Rapids), Marshalltown, Mount Pleasant, and Waverly
• Each community will be assigned a regional site to attend 
• Regional winners receive $8,000 and advance to the state contest
• State contest will be held on August 26, 2015 – Wednesday evening prior to the Downtown Summit in Historic Valley Junction, West Des Moines
• State winner receives an additional $20,000!

The contest is designed to help provide financial and technical support for businesses that improve Iowa’s Main Street districts.  Your local Main Street office can provide additional information and resources to assist you in completing your entry form.  Sustainable businesses that will grow and thrive within the Main Street districts across the state are the desired outcome!

For additional information please contact:
Robin Bostrom – Business Specialist
Main Street Iowa  
Iowa Economic Development Authority
robin.bostrom@iowa.gov
515-725-3053 

Contest Rules
Judges Scoring Criteria
Pitch Tip Sheet