Small Business Digital Empowerment Grant

A Successful Rutherfordton Rising Initiative

The RTR Small Business Digital Empowerment Grant was a collaborative initiative between Rutherford Town Rising, the Town of Rutherfordton, and Dogwood Health Trust designed to help downtown businesses strengthen their digital presence and remain competitive in an increasingly digital marketplace.

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Recognizing that many small businesses face barriers to accessing digital resources and technical expertise, the program brought funding, education, and one-on-one support directly to Downtown Rutherfordton.

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Program Goals

The grant focused on helping businesses:

• Improve their online visibility through websites and digital marketing.

• Expand e-commerce and online sales capabilities.

• Adopt new technologies to better serve customers.

• Connect with local experts and business resources.

• Build long-term digital success through education and coaching.

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Eligible Projects Included

Businesses used grant funding for projects such as:

• Website development and redesign

• E-commerce integration

• Search engine optimization (SEO)

• Social media and digital marketing

• Online booking and scheduling systems

• Point-of-sale and inventory management technology

• Professional branding and graphic design

• Digital business consulting and entrepreneurial coaching

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Community Impact

Through this program, RTR helped local businesses invest in tools that increased visibility, improved customer engagement, and positioned them for continued growth. The program also strengthened partnerships between local businesses, the Town of Rutherfordton, and regional business support organizations, creating a more connected entrepreneurial ecosystem in downtown.

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While this grant program has concluded, Rutherford Town Rising remains committed to supporting small businesses through education, networking opportunities, partnerships, and future economic development initiatives.

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For questions, please contact:
Rutherford Town Rising
Phone: (828) 716-7595 
Email: rtr@rutherfordton.net
Website: https://www.explorerutherfordton.com/resources

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Program Partners:

• Town of Rutherfordton

• Local Digital Experts & Coaches

• Dogwood Health Trust

• E-Commerce Platform Providers