Action Brown County, with support from the Tracy Family Foundation, is offering grants to help local retail, food/drink, and experience-based businesses enhance visibility and attract more customers.
Donor Name: Brown Brown County
State: Illinois
County: Brown County (IL)
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 05/01/2026
Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000
Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned
Details:
The Start-Up Business Competition is designed to inspire and support aspiring entrepreneurs by providing a platform to pitch their innovative business ideas. Whether you’re launching a new product, service, or venture, this competition offers a chance to gain valuable feedback, connect with mentors, and compete for funding or resources to help bring your vision to life. The goal is to encourage creativity, foster local economic growth, and empower individuals to turn their ideas into real, thriving businesses.
Building on the success of the Façade Improvement Program, this initiative encourages the installation of custom “blade” signs that extend perpendicular to storefronts—adding charm, promoting walkability, and boosting brand recognition in Mount Sterling’s uptown district.
Funding Information
This program will fund 90% of an approved project up to $2,000 for a business without a parking lot. This program will fund 90% of an approved project up to $4,000 for a business with a parking lot. Funding is limited.
Eligible Expenses
- Design
- Fabrication
- Installation
- Permits and associated fees
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants must be owners and/or tenants of existing commercial buildings within the Mount Sterling Business Corridors
- Funding will initially be available for businesses in Phase 1. If funding remains, funding may be available for businesses in Phase 2.
- Retail, food/drink, and experiential businesses will be given priority for this funding, but funding for other types of businesses may be considered if funding remains.
- Tenant applicants must submit written permission of the building owner to proceed with the project.
- The structure must not be under consideration for demolition.
- New businesses must be open with regular hours for at least two months to apply.
- Applicants must not have an outstanding balance on any payments owed to the City of Mount Sterling or Brown County.
- Only one grant will be awarded per business every 5 years.
For more information, visit Brown County.
