Since 2013, the Business Improvement (BI) Grant has assisted with 135 different business improvement projects throughout Atchison County. Atchison County Development Corporation (ACDC) designed this program to encourage growth and development of existing Atchison County businesses, but they have also seen an infusion of over $270,000 back into the local economy in the form of goods and services from Atchison County vendors. These impressive statistics exist because grant recipients invested in themselves and leveraged nearly $130,000 in ACDC funds (county tax dollars allocated to this office via the 1/4-cent economic development sales tax) to complete much needed business enhancements.

Because Atchison County businesses have been supported incredibly well this year, ACDC received more sales tax dollars than expected in 2020. Rather than only allocating $10,000 to the 2021 BI Grant program as it has in recent years, ACDC will award up to $20,000 through two different grants: Basic and 2.0. 

Basic grants are 50/50 reimbursable matching grants with a $1,000 maximum on a $2,000+ project. 2.0 grants will reimburse up to $2,500 on a grant project of at least $7,500. $10,000 has been allotted to each of these grants.

Applications for both grants will be accepted via mail only (ACDC, P.O. Box 243, Rock Port, MO 64482) beginning February 1, 2021. Eligible projects must be approved prior to beginning work. Completed applications (including vendor bids and project estimates) will be considered by the grant committee in the order they are received. Applications will be accepted until all funds have been awarded. Visit www.atchisoncounty.org/acdcgrants to download an application and guidelines or contact ACDC (660-744-6562, acdc@atchisoncounty.org) to have a copy sent to you.