MARC JACOBS
Hutch Post
Rural Reno County residents will soon have another option for everyday essentials as Main Street Bodega prepares to open along Main Street in Arlington.
StartUp Hutch has awarded the first Rural Business Resilience & Expansion Initiative Microgrant to Main Street Bodega founder Amy Allbright. The $2,500 grant will be used to purchase a cooler, allowing the new store to offer refrigerated products such as milk and other cold goods.
Allbright and her husband purchased and renovated a building on Arlington’s Main Street to establish the essentials corner store. The project is designed to provide convenient access to everyday goods for residents of Arlington and the surrounding rural area while also bringing new activity to an existing commercial space.
“Congratulations to Amy as the first recipient of this microgrant,” said Graham Klemme, executive director of StartUp Hutch. “Main Street Bodega is exactly the kind of investment this initiative was created to support—one that responds to direct community needs in rural Reno County. We’re proud to play a small part in helping Amy bring this idea to life in Arlington.”
In addition to Main Street Bodega, Allbright is the founder of Tina’s Blooms, a floral business established in memory of her daughter, Tina, who was killed in combat.
The Rural Business Resilience & Expansion Initiative Microgrant program was created by StartUp Hutch to support existing small businesses in rural Reno County communities.
Eligible businesses can apply for grants of up to $2,500. Funding can be used for projects that expand a business, activate underutilized commercial spaces, strengthen essential services or address gaps within rural communities.
Main Street Bodega is the first business to receive funding through the initiative.
Applications for additional microgrants remain open and are being accepted on a rolling basis. StartUp Hutch is encouraging rural Reno County business owners with potential expansion or community-focused projects to apply.