This past fall, more than 300 Iowa agencies, organizations and economic developers collaborated to create a single gateway for small business and entrepreneurs to find grants, loans and other incentives to start or expand a small business in Iowa.
It’s long overdue! Entrepreneurs have told us over and over they are frustrated by the confusing array of financial programs and providers they must navigate when looking for capital. We’re are pleased to announce the new Iowa Money Map- the first comprehensive database of Iowa’s grants, loans, equity investment opportunities and other financial incentives available to small business and entrepreneurs.
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The Iowa Money Map includes more than 800 listings, representing every county in the state. Ready to take a look? Just click on the Money Section at the top of your screen! The money map includes a unique click through county map of Iowa coupled with a searchable listing of public programs easily sorted into grants, loans, equity investments and other incentives. Each listing can be expanded to include a short description of the financing available, contact information for that resource and even a live, interactive chat option to talk with business experts online. |
 Concerning Grants: Start off by searching the county map for any grants offered in the county where you live. If you live in one of Iowa’s Main Street communities for example, you’ll likely find a Main Street facade grant for retailers to improve their storefront presence. In Winneshiek and Clarke Counties, you’ll discover business plan competitions with awards offered to those entrepreneurs with the best ideas each year. Within the statewide map listings, The Iowa Department of Economic Development has a grant program for those of you creating new technology innovations and another program that could potentially provide a grant for a business owned by a woman, minority or person with a disability.
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 Concerning Loans: First off, you’ll want to check out the statewide map to learn about the brand new Iowa Microloan Fund- Iowa’s first statewide fund devoted to providing microloans to small start up and existing businesses in need of $35,000 or less. At the county level there’s plenty to choose from. In Butler County for instance there are a dozen programs dedicated to financing small business- ranging from a 5-5-5 program ($5,000, 5% interest for 5 years) to Venture Capital from the Cedar Valley Venture Fund. |
Whatever your financial needs may be, the new Iowa Money Map should be your first stop to access your options. We’ll keep you posted on new additions and we hope soon to have our bankers and their services in the map too. If you have any questions about how to navigate the map,
contact us or read through a
glossary of commonly used terms on the Money Map.