Six entrepreneurs awarded grants announced | News

The Wilkes Economic Development Corp. (EDC) recently announced the recipients of six entrepreneur grants at their board meeting on Friday morning. The grants, totaling $14,500, were awarded to Bright Barrel LLC, CS Farm, Good Morning Baby LLC, Russell Flower Farm, Scoops N More, and Upscale Structures.

The grants were divided among the recipients based on various factors, with each business receiving a different amount. The applications for the grants were judged on the potential funding impact on the business and the sustainability of each venture.

The grant program, which is held twice a year, is supported by private and public investors and sponsored by the Small Business Center at Wilkes Community College. Each applicant was required to submit a video pitch, a business plan, and a financial summary to give the judges insight into how the funds would be used.

One of the recipients, Bright Barrel LLC, received funding for a commercial refrigerator to showcase their line of non-alcoholic craft beer. CS Farm received funds to build a USDA-compliant packing house for their meat products, while Good Morning Baby LLC received money for lighting and tripod equipment for marketing purposes.

Russell Flower Farm received funds for handicap-accessible parking and a walkway as part of their expansion into agritourism farming. Scoops N More received money for a soft serve ice cream machine, and Upscale Structures received funds for a trailer for making deliveries.

The judges for this cycle were praised for their commitment to the program, and special thanks were given to the Small Business Center for their support. The Wilkes EDC expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to support small businesses and entrepreneurs in Wilkes County.