In an effort to boost available funds for the Perry Business Support Grant, the Perry Chamber of Commerce Foundation has launched a Giving Tuesday campaign, accepting donations now through the end of the year.

The Perry Chamber Foundation is one of four recipients of grant funding from the Iowa Rural Development Council (IRDC) for a pilot Rural Business Initiative (RBI). The effort is to provide support to rural small businesses and is funded through a $200,000 grant from the Wells Fargo Foundation. The Perry Chamber of Commerce Foundation intends to utilize the $30,000 IRDC funds and leverage matching support to facilitate a local business grant program, now open for applications until Tuesday, December 31st.

The IRDC grant program comes at an opportune time, following the closure of the Tyson plant in July which has caused economic strain in the community. Perry leaders acknowledge many small businesses have been facing financial strains even before that, some not yet recovered from the pandemic and continuing to face challenges with staffing, supply chains, rising costs, and declining sales.

While current economic challenges are not unique to Perry, this year has been particularly challenging for the Perry business community. Our community has proven to be resilient despite tragedy and hardships, yet a business’s bottom line can only absorb so much before the burden becomes too much to endure. Despite more coincidence than chain reaction, a number of business closures has weighed heavily on overall morale which has created additional strain and concern that has been challenging to combat. As local businesses contribute to our local economy and the vitality of our community, even losing just one more business due to current economic strains will impact our community. Many factors contribute to the success or downfall of a business, but community support may mean the difference between perseverance and defeat. Businesses of all size and industry, age and location are in need of assistance to persevere during this challenging time.

Total funding currently available for the local grant program is $53,500, thanks to pledged support from Perry Economic Development and remaining funds from the Business Modernization & Protection Grant in 2021. Applications are expected to exceed available funding, but fundraising efforts will continue, allowing for additional granting capacity as available.

Thank you in advance for your support!

Donations for the Perry Business Support Fund – big and small – may be directed to the Perry Chamber Foundation, online or by mail through the end of the year with Memo: Grant Donation to PO Box 472, Perry, IA 50220.

Additional information and the application form for the Perry Business Support Grant is available by contacting the Perry Chamber of Commerce at (515)465-4601 or Lynsi@PerryIAChamber.org.