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Main Street Atmore announced April 28 the awarding of a $5,000 grant for a local business through Main Street Alabama’s AL Spark initiative.

The grant award program aims at empowering the small businesses economy in designated communities across the state.

As an Ignitor grant recipient, Hawt Mess will receive the important grant funds to help carry out its “bright idea,” and is one of the last of only four remaining grant awards made possible by the Small Business Administration’s collaboration with Main Street Alabama in this year’s initiative.

Hawt Mess submitted a business concept for its plans to grow to Main Street Alabama, outlining the business model, project budget, potential community impact, associated marketing plan and ways the grant funds would create sustainable change.

Mary Helmer Wirth, president and state coordinator of Main Street Alabama, said, “Although these businesses are not eligible to make it to the next round, we felt their pitches had the potential to make a significant impact for both their business and Main Street community.

“Ms. Linda’s Restaurant in Elba has significant demand to expand its hours and offerings in its historic location on the Square. In order to meet increasing demand, Maq’s on Main Barbershop in Leeds needed to build out an additional station so they can recruit another stylist. In Atmore, the Hawt Mess Boutique has been successful over the years and now needs help maintaining the demand for a balanced inventory. Finally, Scottsboro Tackle is very competitive as a brick-and-mortar and e-commerce business, but because of its constantly growing mobile audience, needs help keeping up with the orders. Each of these businesses went through a targeted process of proving the worth of these wonderful ideas, and we look forward to seeing them carried out to benefit these small business communities throughout Alabama.”

As part of AL Spark, these Ignitor grants have not only helped pave the way for much-needed funding, but have also been used as a tool to foster creative thinking and sustainable methods to help bring attention to the authenticity of Alabama’s downtown experience. This year’s exciting statewide initiative will reach its finale at Main Street Alabama’s annual conference (LAB) this August in Jasper, Alabama.