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4th Annual Downtown Bristol Entrepreneur Grant Winners Announced

May 02, 2017

Thanks to grants from Virginia Main Street Community Business Launch, Tennessee Main Street Grant, and Wells Fargo, Believe in Bristol will be awarding a total of $60,000 in grants towards six new or expanding businesses in Downtown Bristol.

In January, 18 businesses, out of 58 applicants, were selected to partake in the nine-week Co.Starters business program. On Saturday, April 29th, the remaining 15 finalists presented a shark-tank style pitch to a panel of judges, in addition to a crowd of family and friends. Three winners for Bristol Tennessee were selected: Tri-Cities Escape Game, Bank Street Bristol, and new business Bloom Cafe and Listening Room. Three winners for Bristol, Virginia were selected: Pen's Floral, Willow Creek Antiques, and new business The Earnest Tube.

Believe in Bristol continues to focus on strengthening businesses in the Historic Downtown District, and these grants are part of the effort. The 2nd Entrepreneur Contest winner was The Southern Churn and the first year was awarded to Bristol Brewery.

Congratulations to all of the contestants of the program.