August Muse: Empowering the Arts in Carter County!
We are thrilled to share some fantastic news! August Muse is one of the 500 small businesses chosen for the 2024 Backing Small Business grant from American Express and Main Street America. This prestigious grant recognizes our dedication to empowering the arts and will enable us to enhance our services and better support the arts in Carter County.
It’s your enthusiasm and backing that have helped us reach this milestone. Thanks to your support, we will grow and continue to give back to the community we love.
So, what’s next? We’re excited to announce that we’ll be using this grant to launch an eCommerce store that reflects the diversity and quality of our in-store offerings. This new online presence will allow us to reach a broader audience in northeast TN. It will give our artists and makers a place to sell online. It can help out that busy parent who needs to order and pick up those last minute tights or a clarinet reed.
An online presence means convenience for our customers to order online and pick up or have delivered. This will also give more opportunities for local artists and makers to showcase their work.
Impact on the Community
The benefits of this grant extend beyond our store. Our goal is to strengthen the local economy and foster a vibrant arts community. Local businesses doing the work to bring grant funds into our local economy gives more jobs and opportunities. Being a local business gives space for the community to spend local and invest in our local economy. Did you know that for every $100 spent locally at a small business, $68 stays in the community? Compared this to spending your dollars online and depleting the local economy. Online spending provides no real economic value to the local economy. Local spending boosts the economy, creates jobs, and ensures that unique businesses like August Muse thrive. It’s a cycle of support that uplifts everyone.
Celebrating Community Support
We couldn’t have achieved this milestone without you, our incredible community. Your support, whether through shopping in-store, attending events, or spreading the word, has been invaluable. This grant is not just a win for us but for everyone who supports local arts.
Thanks to the Backing Small Business grant, we're poised to bring the best of August Muse to an even wider audience. Your support makes all the difference. Together, we can continue to empower the arts in Carter County.
Being selected for this grant is a tremendous honor and a testament to the strength and passion of our community. This recognition highlights our commitment to fostering a thriving and enriching creative environment in Elizabethton and beyond.
Stay tuned for our eCommerce launch, and don't forget to visit us in-store! Your continued support not only helps us grow but also strengthens the entire community. Let’s keep celebrating and empowering the arts together!
We can't wait to embark on this new journey with you. Thank you for being a part of the August Muse family and for helping us make a lasting impact on our community.
Don't Miss This
To see all the businesses who were selected and read more about the program, visit: https://mainstreet.org/the-latest/news/500-small-business-owners-receive-10-000-grants-through-backing-small-businesses-program
Another business in Elizabethton was selected as well as one in Johnson city and one in Bristol! Congrats to North East Tennessee businesses who are working hard to serve their communities.