Kissimmee Main Street has awarded Hair On You Studio on West Monument Avenue in downtown Kissimmee with a $500 new business start-up grant.

The New Business Start-up grant promotes economic growth in the Kissimmee Main Street area by encouraging viable retail businesses and restaurants to open.

The recipient of the grant must first spend a minimum of $500 in advertising/promotions, in which Main Street then reimburses the business the first $500. Hair On You Studio used the grant assistance to publish advertising in America’s Favorite Coupon Book as well as create business cards.

In addition, Kissimmee Utility Authority will allow businesses to pay their utility deposit over a 24-month period, once approved for the grant.

“Through these tough economic times, we offer programs that enable new downtown businesses to open their doors,” said Jeff Wolff, Kissimmee Main Street’s Economic Restructuring Committee chair. “Kissimmee Main Street is always looking for new incentive ideas, but we hope that we’ll be able to fund this grant program for years to come.”

The new grant is one of two grants that Kissimmee Main Street offers to the local downtown area. It also offers a conditional use assistance grant, which helps businesses with the conditional use submittal fee. For more information regarding the grants, visit www.kissimmeemainstreet.com or call 407-846-4643.