River-N-Ridge Outdoors is semifinalist in Main Street Iowa’s Open 4 Business competition

River-N-Ridge Outdoors of Lansing has been announced as a semifinalist in Main Street Iowa’s Open 4 Business competition. The business is one of 12 businesses to advance to the next round, and the next step is an online interview with the judging panel. If River-N-Ridge Outdoors advances again, the business will receive $8,000 as a finalist, with the chance to win a further $20,000 as the overall winner.

River-N-Ridge Outdoors previously won the Lansing contest, Open 4 Business: Fish Tank Edition, which awarded $2,000 provided jointly by Kerndt Brothers Bank, Kerndt Brothers Insurance Agency, Lansing Fitness Center and Main Street Lansing.

River-N-Ridge Outdoors, owned by Mark and Amy Peterson, is a full service outdoor store in business for four years, providing a variety of products and services related to hunting, fishing and boating. A small sampling of their products and services include firearms, ammunition, live bait, tackle and gun repair. The wide variety of outdoor activities in the Lansing area allows them to capture the market of outdoor enthusiasts, both locals and visitors. Their location along the river allows for access from the street and from a dock, and their firearm products and services are unique to the business district in Lansing.

River-N-Ridge plans to use any awarded funds to expand their services to include archery, clothing and more boating supplies, as well as helping them reach the goal of opening a larger retail space in Lansing. They also hope to increase advertising, including the use of television. They want to draw new people into Lansing to help not only their business but all the businesses in the community.

Open 4 Business is an annual competition through Main Street Iowa that allows businesses from across Iowa to compete for the chance to win up to $28,000 in grant funds to be used for business expansion efforts. The competition is only open to designated Main Street communities, and each Main Street community can only send one business to represent them in the statewide competition. A 25% cash match is required in order to receive the state funds.

For more information about the Open 4 Business competition, reach out to Andy Kelleher, Executive Director of Main Street Lansing, at 563-538-9229 or director@lansingmatters.com.