Main Street, Spahn & Rose partner on business development grant

     Main Street Monticello and Spahn & Rose Lumber Company came together recently to go after the Main Street Iowa “Open 4 Business” grant opportunity. This grant awards $20,000.

   In early May, the two entities worked together to submit the application. With 53 Main Street Communities in Iowa, each town, essentially, can submit up to one business for the grant. Brian Wolken, Main Street Monticello director, said the total number of submissions each year varies between 20 and 30.

   Each business/applicant had to put together a short video (3 minutes) pitching their project and how they would utilize the $20,000 to expand and grow their business. Eligible expenses include: inventory, equipment, marketing, and technology. Ineligible expenses include: rent, utilities, remodeling, payroll, and vehicles.

   “Main Street approached us about the grant and gave us the details about it,” shared Spahn & Rose Manager Craig Coder. “I’ve been working with Brian on a couple of other projects.”

   Those other projects included utilizing the free design services offered through Main Street Iowa such as façade improvements.

   “They offer free architecture support with renders of your building,” explained Coder.

   Wolken visited with all of the downtown businesses within the Main Street district when it came to applying for the Open 4 Business grant. He said there were a handful of businesses wanting to pursue the opportunity further. It came down to selecting S&R.

   “Six months in, and Main Street has been very active,” praised Coder of the behind-the-scenes work.

   Coder visited Mount Vernon recently, another Main Street Community, to see first-hand the possibilities.

   “I am excited to see the potential for Monticello,” he added.

   Following the initial submission, 12 businesses were selected for the Zoom interview, which took place last Wednesday. S&R was one of those 12 semi-finalists.

   The project Coder submitted for consideration is a design center/showroom expansion. This would include updated full kitchen displays complete with appliances to show customers the plethora of options available through your local S&R store. Coder would also implement the use of technology and VR (virtual reality) with a software program called 2020 Design Live. This allows customers to virtually walk through their home, seeing the design changes in effect.

   “Some S&R stores have the 2020 rendering software,” Codar said.

   These improvements would also allow S&R to potentially hire a designer, increasing their employment base.

   Coder admitted that S&R has lost revenue when it comes home-design projects. They don’t always get the chance to work with homeowners on their kitchen projects.

   “This would help them capture the market share for S&R,” Wolken added.

   The showroom would also have a new floating floor to demonstrate the various flooring options, too.

   “We could expand our business and a destination for home design,” Coder said of the big picture. “It’s another service we could provide to our customers, taking things to the next level.”

   S&R has always been a supporter of the community, with employees serving on the fire department and civic organizations. Local Scouts have also sought assistance from S&R when working on their Eagle Scout projects.

   Coder said that service can certainly continue when it comes to working with the high school drama department for set designs and construction, or the Kirkwood construction class.

   “We consider ourselves a cornerstone of the Main Street,” he said. “We’re an anchor for Main Street Monticello.”

   Following the video interview, where Coder recapped their Open 4 Business project, they should hear any day as to whether S&R move on to the next round of five finalists.

   “We’re really proud to be able to submit an application and advance,” Wolken said. “It’s been a learning opportunity with this grant and others when it comes to what’s expected and the interview process.”