Small Business Start-Up Grant Program

City of Walnut

The Small Business Start-Up Grant is designed to encourage entrepreneurs to support businesses in Walnut. The program provides up to $5,000.00 in grant funds to eligible businesses located in commercial districts within the city limits of Walnut.

Criteria for Participation:

1. The business must be located in an Arterial Commercial District, a Business Commercial District, or a Light Industrial

    District.

2. Qualified small business applicants must have gross receipts of less than $350,000 or employ less then the equivalent

    of 5 full-time employees. For a small business to qualify as a start-up, a small business must be within the first year of

    operation.

3. Applicants must submit a concept document and sufficient financial information to allow the Economic Development

    Committee to pass judgment on a letter of application. The Committee may request additional information and requires

    that applicants submit a full business plan, balance statement, identification of other funding sources, and other such

    information.

4. The business owner must meet with staff of Western Iowa Development Association to review or develop a business

    plan and to discuss other possible funding incentives.

5. The business must be in conformance with all regulations, codes, or licensing standards.

6. Once the Economic Development Committee is satisfied that the applicant has fulfilled all requirements, the funding

    request will be forwarded to the Walnut City Council for final consideration. 

7. The program reimburses expenses and does not advance money without documentation supporting the request for

    reimbursement.

8. Other reasonable conditions may be created by the Economic Development Committee at its discretion.