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provide our community & visitors with the highest quality freshest locally produced dairy products.

Dreamer: Liz Weighner Winner

Business: WW Homestead Dairy

Location: Waukon, IA

WW Homestead Dairy produces high quality local dairy products including; cream-line milk, block cheese & cheese curds, premium ice cream and butter. Our milk comes from 2 local dairies and is brought to our off-farm processing plant 3-4 times per week. We currently have 6 full-time and 9 part-time employees....

current rank
1
number of votes rank
2743
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Build a sustainable regional brewery to help Northeast Iowa become a destination travel location.

Dreamer: Clark Lewey

Business: Toppling Goliath Brewing Co.

Location: Decorah, IA

The Dream Big Grow Here contest winnings would help our brewery continue to create a significant statewide economic impact by creating Iowa jobs and promoting Iowa tourism. A $5,000 investment would allow our company to purchase enough cooperage (kegs) to add 5 to 7 new distribution accounts that are...

current rank
2
number of votes rank
2557
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Fund our non-profit to provide scholarships to our after-school arts program in Guttenberg, Iowa

Dreamer: Cindy Olsen

Business: Creativity Center

Location: guttenberg, IA

We are a non-profit community center featuring an art gallery[ located on the first floor] and an art studio [located on the second floor] of the historic Albertus building in Guttenberg, Iowa. A community art studio is located on the second floor, and includes wheel pottery, mosaics; paint your own...

current rank
3
number of votes rank
1742
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Acquire a larger facility to offer a video game and laser tag arena for teens and families to enjoy.

Dreamer: Tim Borseth

Business: the game exchange

Location: Decorah, IA

The game exchange buys and sells new and used music, movies, and video games from the Atari to the Xbox 360. We also buy and sell on ebay, and repair broken systems and electronics. One other BIG part of our store is the game room and teenage culture that has developed in the store. This after-school...

current rank
4
number of votes rank
1683
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My dream is to bring an active, creative, and artistic experience to the community.

Dreamer: Christine Minear

Business: The Exchange

Location: Cresco, IA

My business provides consignment space for local artisans, studio space for classes in various arts and crafts, and loft space for more physical artistic and active pursuits. I am applying for this grant because the area is a hard market to communicate in. Advertising is a must but many forms are needed....

current rank
5
number of votes rank
763
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My dream is to expand my business and make full use of my talents. Everyone has a dream job.

Dreamer: Dorty Yauslin

Business: Dortys Designs

Location: West Union, IA

Dorty's Designs offers a wide range of services within the sewing field. We work with individuals that have great ideas and our goal is to help turn their ideas into a usable product by consulting, developing prototypes, design, cut, sew, package,& direct ship if requested. A popular and growing...

current rank
6
number of votes rank
655
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provide the highest quality local food while caring for the environment.

Dreamer: Amanda Reiling

Business: Fairfield Farm

Location: Clermont, IA

Fairfield Farm is a locally owned and operated family farm in Clermont. It is situated in the rolling hills of northeast Iowa near the Turkey River. We produce locally grown meat, produce, grains, and forage by practicing sustainable agriculture. We have a certified distribution center that delivers...

current rank
7
number of votes rank
559
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Open a Distillery that makes quality spirits that will draw tourists and make locals proud! prost!

Dreamer: Trent Orth

Business: Wapsi Creek Distilling Co.

Location: Riceville, IA

My business will make fine quality artisan spirits in small batches to be sold throuout Iowa and eventually other states mostly by local ingredients and putting my community on the Iowa map for tourism! The money will be used for final purchases of equipment,permiting, and raw product purchases as well...

current rank
8
number of votes rank
472
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We are dreaming of an outdoor venue. We will host large groups such as bus tours and receptions.

Dreamer: Kevin Walsh

Business: The Irish Shanti, LLC

Location: Elgin, IA

The Irish Shanti is a landmark restaurant. We host travelers from Iowa's 99 counties and many states and a few foreign countries. The Irish Shanti is a family enterprise that thinks big. We are always looking for new avenues on which to reinvent and/or retool the business. In this regard, The Irish Shanti...

current rank
9
number of votes rank
391
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Offer a website where our customers can create their textile design and pricing and order online.

Dreamer: Jackie Lickteig

Business: O'Henry's Stitches and Prints

Location: Cresco, IA

Since we do alot of school spirtwear alot of our customers are kids and they are used to going online for everything first. So in most cases kids will come in with what they want from looking online and want us to match it. Which sometimes is hard to do to find the same items and same artwork, so if...

current rank
10
number of votes rank
136
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.... make big dreams come true in the small town of Elgin.

Dreamer: Lori Keahna

Business: Elgin Cafe

Location: Elgin, IA

My goal is to have the Elgin Cafe open before the end of October. We will serve primarily All-American food, as well as a few ethnic dishes. I hope to provide 1 to 3 job openings for local residents. I also want to offer wireless internet because I feel that it would boost tourism to the town. I want...

current rank
11
number of votes rank
109
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increase SECURITY & SAFETY of our store ensuring clients, employees, customers &assets; are protected

Dreamer: Mallory Einck

Business: The Spectrum Network

Location: Cresco, IA

Spectrum Thrift Store would like to increase the security and safety of their store to ensure our clients, employees, customers and assets are protected at all times. Spectrum Thrift Store is a retail site for new and gently used items which are donated, sorted, reconditioned, etc. and then sold with...

current rank
12
number of votes rank
83
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My Dream is to have a successful business, take care of my family and give back to the community.

Dreamer: Ronald Basler

Business: Tech Geek 2.0

Location: Cresco, IA

Tech Geek 2.0 is a new business offering computer repairs, custom built and refurbished computers sales and service at a price everyone can afford. We are a business that prides ourselves on First Class Customer Service and the understanding of how important it is to treat every customer like family!...

current rank
13
number of votes rank
61
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Our Dream is to keep our old downtown store looking new and running energy effiecent.

Dreamer: John Skoda

Business: Billmyer Furniture & Flooring

Location: Cresco, IA

Hello: We are John and Dar Skoda of Billmyer Furniture and Flooring, which we purchased in 2012. Billmyer Furniture & Flooring in Downtown Cresco, Iowa is a family owned and operated home furnishings store. We have over 20,000 sq. feet of showroom space located in three adjoining buildings. The buildings...

current rank
14
number of votes rank
60
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Be a destination for all seasons, a part of your family's traditions and memories.

Dreamer: Shane Pinter

Business: Pinter's Gardens and Pumpkins

Location: Decorah, IA

Pinter’s Gardens and Pumpkins is NE Iowa’s Garden Center, Landscape Design & Installation Contractor, and Bakery – all under one roof; a destination shopping experience. The Garden Center, which features annuals, perennials, shrubs, trees, hanging baskets, outdoor décor and many seasonal items,...

current rank
15
number of votes rank
52
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Grow a Silicon Valley like company right here in Iowa!

Dreamer: Jason Trout

Business: GoodBlogs

Location: Decorah, IA

GoodBlogs offers an innovative and cost effective platform for businesses to market themselves online. Our software is completely unique and patent pending. We're applying because we've identified several successful channels for growth and are in need of capital in order to be able to pursue them....

current rank
16
number of votes rank
49
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use my talents to start my own business and become self-sufficient and be my own employer.

Dreamer: Leanne Bush

Business: Leanne's Handiwork

Location: Manchester, IA

My business offers custom made products such as: quilts, formal and bridal gowns, and pet products which include quilts/blankets & sweaters. Also, alterations. I am applying because I am just starting up. I have been unemployed for three years so I have hardly any money for business start-up. I...

current rank
17
number of votes rank
13
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