GROW is a one year SBA/SBDC funded program dedicated to facilitating the growth of entrepreneurial activities in Union County managed by South Central Iowa SBDC, Union County Development Association, and Creston Chamber of Commerce.

Union County Development Association/MyEntreNet and South Central Iowa SBDC have developed a Grow Rural Opportunities from Within (GROW) Cost Share Program for Union County businesses and entrepreneurs.

GROW provides cost sharing of local professional technical assistance for Union County businesses and entrepreneurs.  GROW will share the cost of hiring a local resource provider at a dollar for dollar match up to $400.  For example, total cost of $1,000 - GROW pays $400, total cost of $800 - GROW pays $400, total cost of $600 - GROW pays $300. Types of eligible local technical assistance include:

1. Website development/modifications
2. Accounting/Business consulting
3. On-site software training such as QuickBooks
4. Other technical assistance with SBDC approval

Cost Share:  Dollar for Dollar match up to $400 per business/entrepreneur
Target:  20 Union County business/entrepreneurs
Total Fund Available: $7,500

Eligibility and Application Procedures

Eligibility:
1. Applicant must be located in Union County
2. Applicant must be registered with MyEntreNet System
3. Applicant must be a SBDC client (complete and sign SBA Form 641)
4. Applicant must make a commitment to attend/participate in at least 2 Union County/MyEntreNet activities such as the January 24th Doing Business On-line lunch

Application Procedures:
Submit a written description of technical assistance needed, estimated costs and how the assistance will provide economic benefit such as increase sales, decrease cost, retain employees, increase jobs, etc.

Submit application to:
Dave McLaren
GROW/SBDC
1501 W. Townline
Creston, IA 50851
mclaren@swcciowa.edu

Applications will be reviewed in the order received.  Upon approval, applicants must submit a work plan, signed by the applicant and technical assistance provider, identifying work to be completed and costs.

Completed Projects:
Upon completion, the technical assistance provider, not the applicant, must submit an invoice to South Central Iowa SBDC, 1501 W. Townline, Creston, IA 50851, for agreed upon cost share.  The SBDC will not be responsible for any charges that exceed the 1:1 cost share or total cost share exceeding $400.

For more information, contact Dave McLaren 641-782-1483, mclaren@swcciowa.edu