The Bigfork Business Revitalization Grant Program, announced in January, was started with seed money from the Itasca Economic Development Corporation and supported by Bigfork Valley Hospital, the city of Bigfork, Bigfork School and North Itasca Electric Cooperative. Additional funding was provided by the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board.  The goal was to provide matching grants to enable area businesses to make needed improvements and updates to the appearance of their property, both inside and outside. 

Nine businesses were awarded grants in the first round of the program, which is administered locally. Grantees included:

Bigfork Valley                     $2,936.31

Golf on the Edge                  $5,000.00

Jack the Horse Resort           $2,112.50

Pizza Parlor                          $5,000.00

Sam’s Place                         $5,000.00

Four additional businesses received awards and elected to use $500 of the funds to apply for funding from the Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency Business Energy Retrofit Program. Those include Antler Lake Lodge, Lakeside Lumber, Kocian’s Family Market and Marcell Family Center. The BER is another grant opportunity for local businesses in the IRRRB service area which will provide a third of project funding up to $20,000 for eligible energy projects. Deadline for applications is Aug. 2. For more information, search www.aeoa.org, business & commercial services under the services tab.

The next application period for the Bigfork Business Revitalization Grant Program runs from June 1 to October 31 with funds awarded and distributed in November. For more information, contact Drew Francisco at (218) 256-4142 or andrewf@nieci.com.