COTTONWOOD — Businesses in Cottonwood can now get some help to update their buildings, the Cottonwood Economic Development Authority announced this month. All businesses in the city are eligible to apply for a limited amount of grants from the new Business Improvement Fund.

“The goal is to help businesses with any improvements that normally would be a budget constraint item, or something that is on their wish list that might not be a necessity, but the funds would allow for them to do it,” said Cottonwood City Administrator Teather Bliss.

The Business Improvement Fund got started when the Cottonwood EDA was awarded a Community Economic Development Association (CEDA) grant, Bliss said. CEDA is a nonprofit serving greater Minnesota, Northeast Iowa and western Wisconsin.

Bliss said a total of $15,000 is available for applicants in Cottonwood through the Business Improvement Fund. Individual businesses can each receive up to $2,500.

Bliss said businesses interested in applying for the Business Improvement Fund grants can contact her at the Cottonwood city office. Guideline packets for the applications can be picked up at the Cottonwood city office on West Main Street.

Applications will be accepted at the Cottonwood city office until the close of business on Friday, July 25. The EDA will meet to review applications at 5:30 p.m. on Aug. 5.