A 360 photo booth, behavioral therapy, artistic tattoos and a youth athletic club.
Four new businesses featuring these services are seeking grants ranging from $5,000 to $10,000 under the Women/Minority Startup Assistance and Southside Occupancy Assistance programs offered by the City of Galesburg in partnership with the Knox County Area Partnership for Economic Development.
The Galesburg City Council approved new business incentive programs during their February 21, 2022, meeting. The intent of the programs was to increase minority and/or women owned businesses.
The City Council will consider grants for the four businesses at Monday’s City Council meeting.
Here is a summary of the three business proposals:
360 Party Zone
360 Party Zone, LLC started about May 2024 and offers a service that provides 360-degree video of participants as they stand on a platform while the phone rotates around them. Customized videos can be shared on social media and other mediums instantaneously. This type of service is commonly used at weddings, baby showers, gender reveals, receptions, corporate events, birthday parties, gatherings, public events, concerts, etc.
Dorian Riley has applied for a Minority Business Start-Up Assistance Program grant in the amount of $10,000. Her project was reviewed by the Review Committee on Oct. 28 and received the favorable recommendation at that time.
Grant funds would be used to purchase additional equipment for the business and a tow-behind trailer to transport equipment to events around the region.
BessTabb & Associates, LLC
Bess-Tabb & Associates, LLC will provide behavioral therapy, behavioral health education and medication management assistance. The target audience will be adolescents, adults and senior citizens that reside in long-term facilities, schools, business owners and human resource directors to increase mental health wellness. The services will be able to be provided in home offices, at a medical facility, at the client’s home or virtually.
Pamella Bess-Tabb has applied for a Minority Business Start-Up Assistance Program grant in the amount of $7,500. Her project was reviewed by the Review Committee on Oct. 28 and received the favorable recommendation at that time.
The funds will be used for marketing and to assist with licensing costs.
The Griffin
The Griffin will be located at 1230 N. Henderson St. and aims to provide high quality artistic tattoo services, a variety of metaphysical services such as tarot readings and astrology consultations and a range of merchandise such as artist prints, branded apparel and tattoo aftercare products.
Andrian “A.J.” Marty has applied for a Minority Business Start-Up Assistance Program grant in the amount of $7,500. Her project was reviewed by the Review Committee on Oct. 28 and received the favorable recommendation at that time.
The funds will be used for marketing, purchasing new equipment and retail inventory.
Knox County Athletic Club, LLC
Knox County Athletic Club, LLC is proposing to provide sport skills development for youth ages 6 to 18, with a primary emphasis on softball and baseball. The building at 435 E. Third St, formerly Douglas School and most recently the Galesburg Rescue Mission, has been vacant since the previous use moved out over one year ago and this use and renovation will prevent ongoing vacancy while providing an updated and facility for year-round youth sports training.
They will also focus on developing relationships with local travel baseball/softball teams to maximize use of the facility. The Knox County Athletic Club will not only support effort to enhance skill development and training space but also to promote physical fitness, teamwork, confidence and positive social interaction among the youth involved.
Jamie and Tom Dunker have applied for the Southside Occupancy Assistance Program (SOAP) grant in the amount of $10,000. Their project was reviewed by the Review Committee on Oct. 28 and received the favorable recommendation at that time.
SOAP funds will be used to assist in the renovation of the space, which includes HVAC, firewalls and the installation of turf.
