Monroeville Main Street is pleased to announce the Illuminate Summer 2026 Business Marketing Grants, a new opportunity designed to help local businesses strengthen their marketing, reach new customers, and continue growing in Monroeville’s Main Street District.

The Illuminate program is powered by AL*SPARK, a Main Street Alabama initiative created to energize emerging and growing businesses in Designated Main Street Alabama Districts across the state. Illuminate Summer 2026 is supported through funding from the Main Street Alabama Designated Community Grant 2026 with additional funds from Monroeville Main Street.

Through this program, 16 eligible businesses in the Monroeville Main Street District will be selected to receive grants of $1,000, $1,500, or $2,000 to invest in approved marketing products, services, and activities. Grant expenditure requests should be submitted in all three award categories for the best chance to win: $1,000, with 9 grants awarded; $1,500, with 4 grants awarded; or $2,000, with 3 grants awarded.

Eligible uses include advertising, print and digital marketing, social media promotion, video marketing, business cards, rack cards, brochures, branded packaging, signage, window and door graphics, A-frame sidewalk signs where permitted, branded customer premiums, product samples, an incentive program, and other marketing tools that help businesses increase visibility and attract customers.

For small businesses, marketing can make a meaningful difference. A strong sign, professional printed materials, improved social media content, branded packaging and wrapping, or a targeted advertising campaign can help a business stand out, tell its story, and connect with both local customers and visitors. Illuminate gives participating businesses the chance to make those investments at a time when many small businesses are working hard to grow and adapt.

This is a competitive grant process. Applications will be reviewed by out-of-town judges, and businesses are encouraged to be thoughtful, creative, and specific in their marketing plans. Judges will give extra credit for creativity and for plans that spend grant funds with other local businesses, especially businesses located within the Main Street District. Monroeville Main Street hopes this approach will multiply the impact of the grants by supporting not only the award recipients, but also the local printers, sign makers, designers, media outlets, photographers, and other businesses that help bring marketing ideas to life.

To be eligible, businesses must be members of Monroeville Main Street and physically located within the Main Street District. Applicants must be legally formed for-profit businesses or retail establishments, have an Employee Identification Number, hold a current City of Monroeville business license, and be up to date on sales tax remittance. Businesses must also complete the required AL*SPARK Illuminate Branding Course, submit a business eligibility checklist, provide the required compliance form, and submit a marketing plan.

Interested member businesses in the Monroeville Main Street District should contact Anne Marie Bryan, Executive Director of Monroeville Main Street at monroevillemainstreet@gmail.com, by July 20, 2026. The email subject line should say “Illuminate Summer 26.” to indicate interest and the body of the email should have your contact information. Grant applications and qualifications must be completed by noon on July 31, 2026. Applications will be reviewed, winners will be announced in early August, and grant checks are expected to be delivered by August 11, 2026.

Monroeville Main Street is pleased to announce the Illuminate Summer 2026 Business Marketing Grants, a new opportunity designed to help local businesses strengthen their marketing, reach new customers, and continue growing in Monroeville’s Main Street District.

The Illuminate program is powered by AL*SPARK, a Main Street Alabama initiative created to energize emerging and growing businesses in Designated Main Street Alabama Districts across the state. Illuminate Summer 2026 is supported through funding from the Main Street Alabama Designated Community Grant 2026 with additional funds from Monroeville Main Street.

Through this program, 16 eligible businesses in the Monroeville Main Street District will be selected to receive grants of $1,000, $1,500, or $2,000 to invest in approved marketing products, services, and activities. Grant expenditure requests should be submitted in all three award categories for the best chance to win: $1,000, with 9 grants awarded; $1,500, with 4 grants awarded; or $2,000, with 3 grants awarded.

Eligible uses include advertising, print and digital marketing, social media promotion, video marketing, business cards, rack cards, brochures, branded packaging, signage, window and door graphics, A-frame sidewalk signs where permitted, branded customer premiums, product samples, an incentive program, and other marketing tools that help businesses increase visibility and attract customers.

For small businesses, marketing can make a meaningful difference. A strong sign, professional printed materials, improved social media content, branded packaging and wrapping, or a targeted advertising campaign can help a business stand out, tell its story, and connect with both local customers and visitors. Illuminate gives participating businesses the chance to make those investments at a time when many small businesses are working hard to grow and adapt.

This is a competitive grant process. Applications will be reviewed by out-of-town judges, and businesses are encouraged to be thoughtful, creative, and specific in their marketing plans. Judges will give extra credit for creativity and for plans that spend grant funds with other local businesses, especially businesses located within the Main Street District. Monroeville Main Street hopes this approach will multiply the impact of the grants by supporting not only the award recipients, but also the local printers, sign makers, designers, media outlets, photographers, and other businesses that help bring marketing ideas to life.

To be eligible, businesses must be members of Monroeville Main Street and physically located within the Main Street District. Applicants must be legally formed for-profit businesses or retail establishments, have an Employee Identification Number, hold a current City of Monroeville business license, and be up to date on sales tax remittance. Businesses must also complete the required AL*SPARK Illuminate Branding Course, submit a business eligibility checklist, provide the required compliance form, and submit a marketing plan.

Interested member businesses in the Monroeville Main Street District should contact Anne Marie Bryan, Executive Director of Monroeville Main Street at monroevillemainstreet@gmail.com, by July 20, 2026. The email subject line should say “Illuminate Summer 26.” to indicate interest and the body of the email should have your contact information. Grant applications and qualifications must be completed by noon on July 31, 2026. Applications will be reviewed, winners will be announced in early August, and grant checks are expected to be delivered by August 11, 2026.

Recipients will be required to use grant funds for eligible marketing expenses and submit a final report with paid receipts by August 31, 2026. This reporting process will help ensure that funds are used as intended and that the program’s local impact can be documented.

The City of Monroeville is also supporting the program by helping verify business license and sales tax compliance(if needed) for applicants. This partnership reflects the shared commitment between the City and Monroeville Main Street to support entrepreneurship, strengthen existing businesses, and encourage continued investment in downtown Monroeville.

Monroeville Main Street believes that when small businesses are given the tools to grow, the entire community benefits. Strong local businesses create jobs, improve quality of life, welcome visitors, and help keep downtown Monroeville vibrant.

For more information about Illuminate Summer 2026, contact Anne Marie Bryan at monroevillemainstreet@gmail.com with the subject line “Illuminate Summer 26.”