American Express and Main Street America announced the grant recipients for the Backing Small Businesses Grant Program in June. August Muse, based in Elizabethton, Tennessee, was among the winners.
"After two years and starting toreach the community the same comments were heard: 'I don't ever get downtown' and 'I just order from Amazon.' Being a smallbusiness in an onlineworld can be difficult.We’re excited to announce that we’ll be using this grant to launch an eCommerce store that reflects the diversity and quality of our in-store offerings," said owner, Paula Augustine. "This new online presence will allow us to reach a broader audience in Northeast Tennessee. It will give our artists and makers a place to sell online. The busy parent who needs to order those last minute dance tights or replenishing those clarinet reeds can choose to shop local online to pick-up in store or have their items delivered."
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.
"Being awarded these funds is important for the localeconomy. This can mean more local jobs.Bringing a small business online will give customers a choice to spend their money locally online and keep their dollars local. We thank AmericanExpress and Main Street America for their efforts with the Backing Small Business grant program. They understand the importance of the local small business to the local economy," says Augustine.
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.
