Business Boost Grant Program

Business Boost Grant Program

Organization: Downtown Asheboro Inc.

Geographic Scope: Downtown Asheboro Historic District (physical storefront location required)

Program Vision: Foster a downtown community that is entrepreneurial, artistic, and innovative, providing a welcome atmosphere that encourages a growing and forward-thinking environment for small business and residential living.

Purpose: Provide grant funding for businesses to implement innovative ideas or enhance their current operations, boosting success.

Eligibility Criteria

• Business Size: Small business must have less than 50 employees
• Location: Must have a physical storefront location in the downtown historic district
• Eligible Applicants: Business owners within the Downtown Asheboro Historic District
• Special Focus: Focused outreach for historically underrepresented business owners
• Nonprofit Exception: Nonprofits that operate a storefront small business may be included as small business support applicants

Eligible Project Types

Projects can focus on:

• Physical Storefront Improvement: Storefront beautification projects enhancing the appearance of the business and downtown region (e.g., updated exterior paint, awnings, signage, planters)
• Enhanced Service or Commerce Opportunities: Modifying physical space, technology to improve sales, or expanding capacity for delivering goods and services
• Accessibility & Compliance: Furniture for expanded seating-capacity, accessibility compliance for additional seating, additional fixtures required for compliance with public health issues
• Workforce Support: Tools or programs to support the business's workforce needs, including recruiter fees, paying to list job postings on a job board, or employee training costs
• E-commerce Tools: Development of e-commerce tools to help expand digital footprint

Ineligible Expenses

• Payroll
• Incentive pay
• Rent
• Utilities

Requirements

• All physical changes to a building structure must consider and adhere to the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties
• All applicants agree upon submission of project proposal to schedule a one-on-one resource session with Downtown Asheboro Inc. to learn about additional business resources available
• Application submittal does not guarantee funding

Selection Process

• Downtown Asheboro Inc. convenes the economic vitality committee to review applications and select recipients
• Committee awards projects that support Downtown Asheboro Inc.'s vision and adhere to grant guidelines
• Project proposals evaluated based on:
- Viability for long-term success - Level of innovation and creativity - Enhancement of the downtown district

Contact Information

Office: 146 N Church Street
Mail: PO Box 386, Asheboro NC 27204
Phone: 336-963-2637
Website: downtownasheboro.com

Program Status

As of the website content date (2026-04-03), the most recent application period (announced August 6, 2024, with deadline September 13, 2024) has closed, with recipients announced by November 1, 2024. Future application cycles have not been announced.