(Le Mars) — On Tuesday evening of this week, The Browns musical family of Le Mars competed as a finalist for the “Open 4 Business” state competition held in Sioux City at the Convention Center. The Browns finished in second place and were awarded $10,000. Michaela Brown says it was an eye-opening experience. She talks about the “Open 4 Business” competition and the process involved to get to the state finals.
After winning the local, regional, and sub-state levels of competition, The Browns then qualified as one of five statewide businesses competing for the state’s title.
Brown explains the criteria used that served as the basis for the business judging contest was, in many ways, an application for a grant.
Brown says all the finalists businesses emphasized the economic development for their communities, the Browns focused on how winning the “Open 4 Business” program would benefit the town of Le Mars by increasing tourism.
The other four competitors included: The Bijou Theater in Mount Vernon, The Som in Burlington, Gravy Home Goods in Jewell, and this year’s winning entry, Roux’s Kitchen located at Woodbine. Michela Brown says the “Open 4 Business” is not
just for start-up businesses, but long-time businesses can compete as well.
Brown says their presentation started with the Brown family singing in order to introduce themselves to the judges.
Photo taken when The Browns won the local “Open 4 Business” contest for Le Mars businesses.
Brown says only during the preliminary rounds of competition did the family members need to answer questions from the judges. She says there were no questions asked by the judges during the state finals round of judging.
This was the third year of the “Open 4 Business” contest which is open to businesses located within the 52 Main Street Iowa districts across the state.
The grants are administered through the Iowa Economic Development Authority’s Iowa Downtown Resource Center and Main Street Iowa programs. The funding will assist business expansion projects for each of the businesses.
