4/17/2026: Perry Business Support Grant Applications Open

Perry Chamber Foundation Announces Additional Perry Business Support Grant, Accepting Applications Now Through June 1st
 
Perry, April 17, 2026 – The Perry Chamber Foundation was one of four recipients of grant funding from the Iowa Rural Development Council (IRDC) for a Rural Business Initiative (RBI) pilot program in 2024. The effort was meant to provide support to rural small businesses and was funded through the Wells Fargo Foundation. Local support of the initiative in Perry nearly tripled available funds, with contributions from the City of Perry, Perry Economic Development, Bock Family Foundation, and Raccoon Valley Bank Foundation. The Perry Chamber Foundation then facilitated a local business grant program in 2025, and will facilitate a second round of the grant program in 2026 with remaining funds. Grant applications will be accepted now through June 1^st.
 
“It is rare that an opportunity like this comes up,” states Lynsi Pasutti, Executive Director of the Perry Chamber of Commerce, “where grant funds become available with very few stipulations for organizations to develop their own localized programs to support local small businesses. We’ve really been able to keep it open-ended in order to serve a variety of local business needs.”
 
The initial IRDC grant program came at an opportune time, following the closure of the Tyson plant in July of 2024, which had caused economic strain in the community. Perry leaders acknowledged many small businesses had been facing financial strains even before that, some not yet recovered from the pandemic and continuing to face challenges with staffing, supply chains, rising costs, and declining sales. Outcomes from the first round of grants included the purchase of equipment which contributed to increased sales, maintaining staff and marketing campaigns, as well as building improvements.  
 
“With additional local support, we’ve been able to open up a second round of business grants,” says Perry Chamber Foundation Board Member Emily Leslie, “in order to support businesses that did not receive funding in the first round. This second round will be smaller in scope, but we know every little bit of support will help small businesses looking to tackle a project they otherwise might not be able to right now.”
 
Grant applications will be accepted until Monday, June 1, 2026 at 5:00 P.M. to the Perry Chamber of Commerce and will be reviewed by the Perry Business Support Task Force.  Grant requests should be $500 - $1,500 with at least 10% matching funds. Eligible expenses include working capital for products, equipment, services, marketing, physical improvements, educational courses, networking memberships, or new staffing. Applicants will be notified of awarded grants by Monday, June 15, 2026.
 
Additional information and the application form for the Perry Business Support Grant is available at https://forms.gle/ncGuGMicH6mynxzH8 or by contacting the Perry Chamber of Commerce at (515)465-4601 or Lynsi@PerryIAChamber.org.  
 
 
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About the Perry Chamber of Commerce & Foundation
The Perry Chamber of Commerce is a 501(c)6 non-profit organization that serves as the central business association in Perry, Iowa, with the mission to be an advocate to its membership by promoting and encouraging growth in the community, business, and tourism.
 
The Perry Chamber of Commerce Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)3 charitable non-profit organization formed to support the Perry Chamber of Commerce in create a thriving, vibrant, and attractive community with diverse businesses and a self-sustaining economy.
 
 
 
The Iowa Rural Development Council is a statewide public-private non-profit organization focused on rural vitality and local capacity that will sustain and grow Iowa’s small towns.  For more information, email director@iowardc.org.