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Downtown Boro's Small Business Grant Program

Wilkes Economic Development

Foundation One-time Small Business Grants

Funding Amount

Up to $5,000 per grant

Deadline

Deadline not published

Grant Type

Foundation

Deadline history & next window

Cycle
One-time opportunity
Tracked since
April 2026

Source: the cycle recorded on this listing. Confirm dates with the funder.

Can we apply?

Check your organization against each line. Taken from the listing; confirm with the funder's guidelines.

Geography

  • Located in downtown Wilkesboro or downtown North Wilkesboro

Required status

  • In operation at least one years

Other requirements

  • Existing and expanding businesses

Overview

Geographic Scope: Downtown areas of Wilkesboro and North Wilkesboro, Wilkes County, North Carolina

Focus Areas: Support existing and expanding businesses in downtown Wilkesboro and North Wilkesboro through operational enhancements across sectors including food services, retail, arts, entertainment, and healthcare.

Eligibility:

  • Existing and expanding businesses
  • Must have been operating for over one year
  • Located in downtown Wilkesboro or downtown North Wilkesboro

What They Fund:

  • Equipment upgrades
  • Space improvements and renovations
  • E-commerce expansion
  • Operational enhancements
  • Technology and system upgrades
  • Furniture and furnishings
  • Marketing and branding
  • Sound system upgrades

Program Details:

  • Funded by Duke Energy Foundation
  • First cycle (Fall 2024) awarded to 6 recipients
  • Applicants submit video pitch, business plan, and financial summary
  • Judged by panel of local business leaders and community professionals
  • Designed to strengthen downtown business districts

Contact:

  • Wilkes Economic Development Corporation
  • 213 9th Street N, Wilkesboro, NC 28659
  • Phone: (336) 838-1501
  • Email: lnixon@wilkesedc.com
  • Website: wilkesedc.com

How to Apply

Application Process

  1. Application Requirements:
    • Video pitch presentation
    • Business plan
    • Financial summary
  2. Selection Criteria:
    • Potential funding impact on the business
    • Sustainability of each recipient's plans
  3. Submission Format:
    • Video pitch plus supporting business plan and financial documentation
    • Judges evaluate content to understand proposed use of funds
  4. Support Available:
    • One-on-one counseling from Wilkes Community College Small Business Center
    • Business plan development assistance
    • Financial summary guidance

What Wilkes Economic Development actually gave

Source: IRS Form 990, 2025

Grants in 2025
1
Total given
$5,400
Median grant
$5,400
  • By dollars: North Carolina 100%. Top recipient cities: North Wilkesboro, NC.

Example grants

  • Wilkes Prohealth · North Wilkesboro, NC

    $5,400

IRS Form 990, 2025. Amounts as reported by the funder. Full 990 history →

Focus Areas & Funding Uses

Fields of Work

  • Small businesses

Categories

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