Kast Iron Soda Works, located in Salem, Ohio, has received a $10,000 small business grant from American Express and Main Street America. This grant is part of the Backing Small Businesses program which was launched in 2021 to assist under-resourced and economically vulnerable small business owners recovering from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The business plans to use the funds to update the rear entrance of the building to improve accessibility and safety for staff and customers. This includes installing a new door and access ramp as well as creating an outdoor patio space. Kast Iron Soda Works was one of 34 businesses in Ohio that received a grant from the program.
The Backing Small Businesses program aims to provide support to small business owners who have been impacted by the pandemic. In 2022, a total of 500 grants were awarded across the nation, marking an increase from previous years. For more information on the program and a complete list of grant recipients, visit their website.