Perry Downtown Development Authority wants to give downtown businesses a financial boost.

The DDA has established the BOOST Downtown Perry Investment Group to provide grant money to small business owners in the downtown development district. Investors are asked to chip in $100 twice a year for two years, for a total of $400, to help improve downtown and infuse much-needed capital into downtown businesses. The money goes into a fund housed with the DDA.

The DDA reviews grant requests for completeness. Applications are available online.

Group members (“investors”) will vote on which requests to fund and for what amount. Grant awards will be in increments of $50, with the maximum awarded being $1,000.

Applicants will be allowed to receive grant funds only one time per calendar year.

Grant funds must go for specific items; some examples are a new sign, a new piece of equipment or a particular marketing need. BOOST grants can be used in conjunction with other local incentives, such as façade and media grants.

Checks are made payable to the vendor or supplier of the item that the business owner is purchasing.  Those who are buying local, when possible, will be favored.

Grants are awarded twice per year.  Investors who wish to contribute more than the $400 will be welcome to do so; however, they will still have one vote.

Other than the start-up meeting and the twice annual or quarterly meetings to make grant decisions, investors do not make a huge time commitment.  Investors vote via email.

Eligible

• Supplies

• Business equipment

• Marketing and advertising

• Eligible interior renovations

• Security system

• Professional service

Ineligible

• Building maintenance

• Purchasing inventory (including ingredients, raw materials, parts, etc.)

• Payment of rent, lease or mortgage

• Payment of rental deposits and utility bills

• Payment of late payments or fees

• Purchase of alcohol, tobacco or medicine

• Payment of salaries or debts

Applications for the next round of grants will be accepted from Nov. 13, 2017, to Dec. 1, 2017, at 5 p.m., with grant awards to BOOSTed recipients to be announced in December.  All applications must be submitted online and must include quotes and other requested information.  Incomplete applications will not be considered.  For more information, contact Main Street Coordinator Catherine Edgemon at [email protected] or (478) 988-2758.

Please click here for BOOST Rules & Procedures