Pitch Your Porch

Pawnee County Downtown Business Competition

HOW TO REGISTER FOR PITCH YOUR PORCH:

To Sign-up go to VentureDash and click Join the Competition. Sign-up as an Entrepreneur for the Pawnee County Pitch Your Porch Competition by clicking the Choose Role drop-down. June 7th, 2024 is the deadline to apply.

Direct Sign-Up Link: https://goventuredash.com/competitions/569

IMPORTANT DEADLINES:

  • Application Deadline: June 7th, 2024 by 11:59pm.
    Applications will then be reviewed by the PYP Grant Review Committee. Those with completed and eligible projects will be contacted and presentation times for the June 18th competition will be scheduled.

  • Pitch Competition: June 18th, 2024

ELIGIBLE IMPROVEMENT EXAMPLES:

  • Cleaning, preparation, and painting of exterior walls and trim

  • Cleaning and/or re-pointing of brick, and other masonry

  • Installation of siding materials

  • Outdoor dining fencing

  • Trash can fencing

  • Signage

  • Replacement of deteriorated windows, doors, and or/framing visible from the street

  • Removal and/or installation of awnings, canopies, or shutters

  • Accent lighting

  • Murals & external beautification

Pawnee County Economic Development Commission is excited to host the Pitch Your Porch (PYP) Grant Program is designed to assist business owners in any downtown district in Pawnee County, Kansas to renovate the “front porch” of their business to create a visual impact and to complement community development efforts.


ELIGIBILITY:

To be eligible for the PYP Program, businesses must have:

  • A physical presence and must be registered and licensed under the current Kansas Business Guidelines.

  • All businesses must be current on both County and State Tax liabilities and currently open to the public.

  • Business must be currently in operation by the application deadline of June 7th, 2024

  • Only new projects will be considered for this grant competition and must be ready to begin following the competition on June 18th.

AWARDS

  • A total of $3,000 is available to be awarded to 5 businesses. Grants will be awarded up to 3,000 per business (the maximum amount a single business can receive). Owners/tenants can spend more than $3,000 on a project, but the grant will only award 3,000 with a 25% match on the project. Interested owners/tenants must fill out an application prior to the June 7th, 2024 deadline.

  • Applications will be considered by the PYP Grant Review Committee to determine eligibility for the PYP Competition and to assure, through an equitable process, that the application meets all applicable design guidelines.

  • Applicants will also be required to adhere to all codes and requirements as prescribed by the City and County codes in which the business is located. All permits must be obtained prior to any building improvements as required by the County/Municipality. The completed work must adhere to the final design plans agreed to with the PYP Grant Committee to ensure final payment.

  • Applicants can use visual aids, PowerPoint presentations, etc. during the pitch competition to strengthen their opportunity to be awarded the grant.

  • There is a minimum 25% match ($750) on the $3,000 granted amount required by the awardee for the grant

  • Funds will NOT be deposited into business accounts. The businesses must send paid invoices to the PCEDC Director to be reimbursed

  • Businesses will have up to 1 year from the competition scheduled on June 18th, 2024 to use the awarded funds.

QUESTIONS

Contact Pawnee County Economic Development at 502 Broadway, Larned, larnedcofc@gbta.net, or 620-285-6916.

Larned Chamber