In 2013, the Atchison County Development Corporation (ACDC) created the Business Improvement (BI) Grant to encourage Atchison County businesses as they work to provide products and services to our county.  This grant program has leveraged over $200,000 in sales tax dollars to assist local businesses with projects that have enabled them to increase efficiency, expand services, or maintain buildings and equipment. Projects over the years have included storefront and facade upgrades, industry-specific equipment, parking areas, HVAC units, lighting, flooring, computers, roofs, software, point of sale products, signage, and other improvements.

ACDC offers two different levels of funding each year through this reimbursed matching grant program on projects that will improve aesthetics, safety, and/or function of existing businesses.

BASIC: The grant will equal up to 50% of the cost of eligible improvements, maximum $1,000.  (If the total project cost is $1,200, ACDC’s reimbursed grant is $600 and the business pays $600. If the total project cost is $2,200, ACDC’s grant is $1,000 and the  business pays $1,200.)

2.0: The grant will equal up to one-third of the cost of eligible improvements with a maximum of $2,500. (If the total project cost is $7,500 or more, ACDC’s reimbursed grant is $2,500 and the business pays $5,000 or more.)

Of the $20,000 allotted to the 2025 program, $9,600 is still available.

Any Atchison County business that is current on taxes and licensure can apply, unless it received an ACDC grant in 2023 or 2024. Eligible projects must be approved prior to beginning work.  Visit www.atchisoncounty.org/acdcgrants to download the application and guidelines or contact ACDC (660-744-6562, acdc@atchisoncounty.org) to have a copy sent to you. Completed applications (including vendor bids and project estimates) will be considered by the grant committee in the order they are received (via mail or at the office at 321 S. Main Street, Rock Port) and will be awarded until all designated funds have been allotted.