The Works recently awarded a $10,000 Backing Small Businesses Enhancement Grant through American Express, Main Street America

Tuesday, June 25, American Express and Main Street America announced the grant recipients for the Backing Small Businesses Grant Program. The Works, based in Lansing, was among the winners.

“We are continually seeking new ways to serve entrepreneurs and small business owners in our region,” said Maryann Baldwin, founder and owner of The Works, a site for coworking and small business coaching. “Adding multimedia capabilities to our resources is something I’ve hoped to provide since the founding in fall of 2021. This grant will allow us to finally do that. I am very honored that our contributions and intentions have been recognized and supported in this way. We look forward to offering podcasting and video production tools later this year.”

American Express and Main Street America announced the 500 small business owners who have been awarded $10,000 through the Backing Small Businesses grant program. The program’s 2024 grant recipients represent U.S. small businesses across all 50 states, plus D.C. and Puerto Rico. Later this year, grantees will have the opportunity to apply for an additional $30,000 enhancement grant that will be awarded to 25 small businesses.

Since launching in 2021, Backing Small Businesses has provided over $9 million in grants to 1,180 small business owners nationwide. American Express and Main Street America initially created the grant program to help economically vulnerable small business owners recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and grow their businesses.

This program is part of American Express’ “Backing Small” initiative to provide financial support and resources to small business owners experiencing economic hardships. Other Backing Small grant programs include Backing Historic Small Restaurants and Backing International Small Restaurants.

Backing Small is an extension of American Express’ longstanding commitment to support small independent businesses globally, including through its Shop Small movement and Small Business Saturday campaign, celebrating its 15th anniversary this year.

To find out more about the most recent Backing Small Businesses Enhancement Grant Recipients visit https://mainstreet.org/the-latest/news/500-small-business-owners-receive.... To learn more about the Backing Small Businesses grant program and grantees, visit https://mainstreet.org/.

For more information about The Works and plans for the Backing Small Business grant, contact The Works founder/owner Maryann Baldwin at 319-573-1955 or at theworksconnect@gmail.com.