$52K Granted to 33 BIPOC & Immigrant Owned Businesses

Project Better Together, a community initiative driven by the Iowa City Area Business Partnership, Think Iowa City, Iowa City Area Development Group, and the Iowa City Downtown District, granted $51,950 to 33 local businesses that identified as owned by Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) or Immigrant who have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The funds, granted in ranges of $1,000 to $2,500, are to assist with both short-term and long-term recovery efforts.

The fund was established to assist businesses that have not been able to access or have been declined local, state, or federal relief funds, or that need additional support to weather the crisis. Eligibility requirements included being a private, for-profit business located in Johnson County and be at least 50% BIPOC or immigrant owned. 50 applications were reviewed.

Funding of the project came from the Holding Our Own Shop Local program. This program’s goal is to spur local spending by providing an incentive of a $20 gift card for every $150 spent at local qualifying businesses. An additional $5 is donated to the BIPOC & Immigrant Business Grant Fund. The incentive program is supported by funds from Johnson County, MidWestOne Bank, West Bank, GreenState Credit Union, Great Western Bank, Hills Bank, Two Rivers Bank, US Bank, CBI Bank and Trust, and other area partners. In addition, the City of Iowa City contributed directly to the grant fund and individual donations were made. The Community Foundation of Johnson County assisted with the administration of the BIPOC & Immigrant Business Grant program.

The following 33 businesses received grants between $1,000 to $2,500: