Biddeford a finalist for $500,000 U.S. small business prize
Courtesy / Heart of Biddeford
The 123-year-old clock atop Biddeford's City Hall recently won a $150,000 historic preservation grant through “Vote Your Main Street” campaign. The city announced today that it's also in the running for a $500,000 grant as one of 10 finalists in "The Small Business Revolution - Main Street" national competition sponsored by the financial services Deluxe Corp.
Biddeford is once again receiving national attention and a chance to win a substantial prize that will further rejuvenate the community.
Heart of Biddeford was one of over 12,000 U.S. organizations that applied to have its city featured on Season 4 of “The Small Business Revolution – Main Street,” which can be viewed on Hulu in fall 2019. The eight-part web series will feature six small businesses. One winner will receive a total of $500,000 of business assistance paid for by Deluxe Corp., a Shoreview, Minn.-based service company for the financial services industry.
“I think the Biddeford community already knows that something special is happening in our city, but to essentially be selected as one of the top ten up-and-coming small cities in the entire country is truly breathtaking,” said Mayor Alan Casavant.
“This honor clearly demonstrates how far we have come over the last few years and reinforces my perception that many people, in and outside of our community, not only recognize our progress, but believe in our possibilities,” he added.
Amanda Brinkman, the chief brand officer at Deluxe and the host of the show, will visit Biddeford on Jan. 21, at 7 p.m., at Sellam Circus School. Small business owners are encouraged to attend. Brinkman will spend the following day visiting Biddeford’s small businesses.
“Because of the way the selection process is designed, making it into the Top 10 will already attract national attention to our local businesses and bring marketing experts into our community to share their knowledge,” explained Heart of Biddeford Executive Director Delilah Poupore. “This opportunity is truly something to celebrate regardless of if we advance in the competition.”
If Biddeford is ultimately selected to advance to the Top 5 of the competition, the city will face off against four other towns in a one-week online voting contest, and the community that receives the most votes will be featured on the show.
In October, Heart of Biddeford won a $150,000 historic preservation grant through “Vote Your Main Street” campaign, which was supported by American Express and the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The money will be used on repairs of the City Hall clock tower. Biddeford was one of 10 communities that won grants.
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