Cape Girardeau grocery store to receive Backing Small Business Grant
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KBSI) – A grocery store in Cape Girardeau was selected as a recipient of a $10,000 Backing Small Businesses Grant 2024 from Main Street America.
The Multicultural Business Development Alliance announced that the Corner Grocery Store won the award.
Main Street America in partnership with American Express presented the award.
Backing Small Businesses has provided more than $9 million in grants to 1,180 small business owners nationwide since launching in 2021. American Express and Main Street America initially created the grant program to help economically vulnerable small business owners recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and grow their businesses.
The MBDA helped to facilitate the partnership and assist in the grant-writing process. This collaboration between the MBDA, Freeman Nonprofit Consulting and students at the University is a testament to the commitment the MBDA has to ensure all people have access to economic opportunities here in our city and region. The MBDA would like to thank our Board Members who spearheaded this project: Lloyd Williams – President, Brock Freeman – Vice President, Camille Shoals – Member, and most importantly, Robert Gentry and his co-owner and wife, Mary Davis-Gentry. The Corner Grocery Store has undeniably impacted downtown, from the tourist-attracting Bourbon Balls to the hidden gem salmon croquettes, and chicken and dumplings. The MBDA is excited to see their vision come to life and looks forward to continuing our work here in Southeast Missouri.
“We feel very appreciative to have received this grant. It will allow us to improve our curb appeal with a new sign. It will also give us the funds to purchase a new POS system along with increased inventory & supplies. Overall, these changes should increase our productivity and will allow us to continue to be an active small business in our community,”said Robert & Mary Gentry, co-owners of the Corner Grocery Store.
“At Freeman Nonprofit Consulting, we’re deeply committed to fostering local business growth and supporting community development. We are proud to have facilitated the grant funds being awarded to The Corner Grocery Store through our collaboration with the Multicultural Business Development Alliance. We are honored to support The Corner Store and were excited to see the positive impact this grant will have on the community and our residents,”said Brock Freeman, founder of Freeman Consulting, LLC.
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