FINANCIAL RESOURCES:

MAIN STREET ELKADER LOANS & GRANTS + OTHER LOCAL FUNDING SOURCES:

Main Street Elkader Revolving Loan

Funds for this small business loan program are intended to be used for private, for-profit businesses engaged in retail, small-industrial and/or service type businesses.

Guidelines + application here!

Main Street Elkader Evolving Loan

The Elkader Evolving Loan Fund is a restructuring of our highly successful 35 year old revolving loan fund. But it is more than a fund. It is a plan to generate $1.1 million in downtown business investment over the next 35 years, combining economic power with Main Street Elkader’s support and resources for compounding effects.

NOTE: This program is not fully funded yet. Applications will be accepted upon funds being secured from investor sources.

More information here!

Main Street Elkader Facade Grant

The City of Elkader & Main Street Elkader have created a facade match (one-time) grant program to encourage local businesses/building owners to enhance their exterior space(s), encouraging economic vitality and progress.

2025 Recipients: Mark Collins, Jay & Kay Moser, Ron & Mary Kuehl, Schneider Real Estate, Christopher Reimer

2026 Recipients: The Woodland Eye Clinic

More information + apply here!

Clayton County Development Group Loan

The CCDG loan provides financing to new or expanding businesses for which credit is not otherwise available.

Apply for the CCDG Revolving Loan

Upper Explorerland Loan

The UERPC loan provides financing to new or expanding businesses for which credit is not otherwise available.

Apply for the UERPC Revolving Loan

Allamakee-Clayton Electric Coop

The priorities of this loan source include job creation and retention, diversification of the local economy and public infrastructure upgrades to improve the health, safety and/or medical care of rural residents.

Apply for the Allamakee-Clayton Electric Coop Loan

Aureon Charity Grant

Aureon invites public and private non-profit organizations to submit proposals for funding assistance with local charity drives and community projects. We prioritize funding for specific, tangible items needed in your communities. Eligibility is restricted to communities served by Aureon's participating telecommunications companies.

As a charity, we can partner with you to apply for this grant through Alpine Communications. Deadline for submission is the end of each calendar quarter.

Learn more!

Foundations of Cornerstone Communities

Do you have a project in your community that needs funding, or maybe a great idea or initiative that will enhance the health of your community?

FCC partners with visionary leaders in all communities served by GMHC on initiatives that align with the FCC mission of creating healthy and vibrant todays, local projects that keep our communities healthy and strong.

FCC welcomes applications for twice/year on April 15th & November 15th, with decisions announced within 30 days.

Learn more here!

MAIN STREET IOWA GRANT FUNDING AVAILABLE:

By being a National and State Accredited Main Street Community, Elkader is able to participate in both these annual Main Street sponsored grant programs.

Challenge Grant

Main Street Iowa Challenge Grants are available for brick-and-mortar building projects that contribute to the development of designated Main Street Iowa districts.

Highly competitive applications focus on comprehensive building rehabilitation projects that provide increased business, housing or job opportunities.

Local applications for this 1:1 match program open at the end of June each year. Only one applicant is able to advance to the state level.

More information here!

Open 4 Business Grant

The Open 4 Business program encourages business development in designated Main Street Iowa districts around the state. Funding can be used for inventory, equipment, software updates, marketing, etc. but not for building rehabilitation or rent. Local applications for this program open annually in the spring. One local applicant is selected to advance to the state level.

More information here!

PREVIOUS GRANT WINNERS IN ELKADER...

The Woodland Eye Clinic - 2026 Main Street Elkader Facade Grant Recipient

Frédérique Boudouani & Brian Bruening were awarded the 2025 Challenge Grant of $100,000 to go toward rehabilitating the building next to Schera’s at 107 S. Main Street.

Mark Collins of Drone Xperts was an 2025 Open 4 Business Grant finalist, receiving a 3rd place finish and a $15,000 grant prize.

Danielle and Caleb Shea awarded a $270,000 Downtown Housing Grant by Main Street Iowa. — Danielle and Caleb Shea were awarded a $270,000 Downtown Housing Grant by Governor Reynolds

Mike and Kathleen McShane, GEAR Elkader, were awarded $100,000 for a 2021 Challenge Grant.

**Dawn Medberry was awarded a 2019 Challenge Grant for the Argus Building.**

Dave Fulk was awarded the 2020 Open 4 Business award for his business, Cutting Edge Archery. The grant will be used for inventory, marketing, and a 4D shooting system.