ACDC loves nothing more than to assist Atchison County businesses, particularly existing entities that want to grow.  Through our Business Improvement Grant program, we’ve been able to assist with over 182 different projects throughout our county since 2013.  We designed this grant program so that we would have a structured way to help local businesses, but we also wanted to encourage their continuation, growth, and development.  Over the past 13 years, we’ve seen an infusion of over $347,000 back into our local economy in the form of goods and services from AC vendors.  Grant recipients have invested in themselves and leveraged nearly $211,000 in ACDC funds (county sales tax dollars allocated to this office via the 1/4-cent economic development sales tax) to complete over $1,068,000 worth of improvements!

In 2026, ACDC will offer two levels of funding through this reimbursed matching grant program on improvement projects for existing businesses.

• BASIC: grant will equal up to 50% of the cost of eligible improvements, max. $1,000. (If total project cost is $1,200: ACDC’s reimbursed grant is $600 + business pays $600.  If total project cost is $2,200: ACDC’s grant is $1,000. Business pays $1,200.)
• 2.0: grant will equal up to one-third of the cost of eligible improvements, max $2,500. (If total project cost is $7,500+: ACDC’s reimbursed grant is $2,500. Business pays $5,000+.)

Important details to note:

• Applications are accepted via mail OR at the ACDC office at 321 S. Main St. in Rock Port (via mail slot in door if office is closed).
• Projects must be approved prior to beginning work.
• ANY AC business current on taxes/licensure can apply unless it received any ACDC grant in 2024 or 2025. (Businesses can apply for one ACDC grant per location every three years.)
• Applications will be accepted until all funds have been awarded.

Completed applications (including vendor bids and project estimates) will be considered in the order they were received and will be reviewed by the grant committee on a monthly basis. Projects must be completed by October 31, 2026.

• ACDC BI Grant 2026 Application
• ACDC BI Grant 2026 Guidelines

Please contact us (acdc@atchisoncounty.org or 660-744-6562) if you have questions on this grant, or if you are a new or existing business in need of funding. WE WANT YOU TO SUCCEED! We’ll work diligently to help you find what you need so that you can accomplish your goals.