Three Main Street America Staff members standing in front of a mural in Marion, Iowa.

Marion, Iowa © Tasha Sams

About

We work in collaboration with thousands of local partners and grassroots leaders across the nation who share our commitment to advancing shared prosperity, creating resilient economies, and improving quality of life.

Overview Who We Are How We Work Partner Collaborations Our Supporters Our Team Job Opportunities Contact Us
Two community members in Emporia Kansas pose with a sign saying "I'm a Main Streeter"

Emporia, Kansas © Emporia Main Street

Our Network

Made up of small towns, mid-sized communities, and urban commercial districts, the thousands of organizations, individuals, volunteers, and local leaders that make up Main Street America™ represent the broad diversity that makes this country so unique.

Overview Coordinating Programs Main Street Communities Collective Impact Awards & Recognition Community Evaluation Framework Join the Movement
Dionne Baux and MSA partner working in Bronzeville, Chicago.

Chicago, Illinois © Main Street America

Resources

Looking for strategies and tools to support you in your work? Delve into the Main Street Resource Center and explore a wide range of resources including our extensive Knowledge Hub, professional development opportunities, field service offerings, advocacy support, and more!

Overview Knowledge Hub Field Services Government Relations Main Street Now Conference Main Street America Institute Small Business Support Allied Member Services The Point Members Area
People riding e-scooters in Waterloo, Iowa

Waterloo, Iowa © Main Street Waterloo

The Latest

Your one-stop-shop for all the latest stories, news, events, and opportunities – including grants and funding programs – across Main Street.

Overview News & Stories Events & Opportunities Subscribe
Woman and girl at a festival booth in Kendall Whittier, Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Kendall Whittier — Tulsa, Oklahoma © Kendall Whittier Main Street

Get Involved

Join us in our work to advance shared prosperity, create strong economies, and improve quality of life in downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts.

Overview Join Us Renew Your Membership Donate Partner With Us Job Opportunities
Three Main Street America Staff members standing in front of a mural in Marion, Iowa.

Marion, Iowa © Tasha Sams

About

We work in collaboration with thousands of local partners and grassroots leaders across the nation who share our commitment to advancing shared prosperity, creating resilient economies, and improving quality of life.

Overview Who We Are How We Work Partner Collaborations Our Supporters Our Team Job Opportunities Contact Us
Two community members in Emporia Kansas pose with a sign saying "I'm a Main Streeter"

Emporia, Kansas © Emporia Main Street

Our Network

Made up of small towns, mid-sized communities, and urban commercial districts, the thousands of organizations, individuals, volunteers, and local leaders that make up Main Street America™ represent the broad diversity that makes this country so unique.

Overview Coordinating Programs Main Street Communities Collective Impact Awards & Recognition Community Evaluation Framework Join the Movement
Dionne Baux and MSA partner working in Bronzeville, Chicago.

Chicago, Illinois © Main Street America

Resources

Looking for strategies and tools to support you in your work? Delve into the Main Street Resource Center and explore a wide range of resources including our extensive Knowledge Hub, professional development opportunities, field service offerings, advocacy support, and more!

Overview Knowledge Hub Field Services Government Relations Main Street Now Conference Main Street America Institute Small Business Support Allied Member Services The Point Members Area
People riding e-scooters in Waterloo, Iowa

Waterloo, Iowa © Main Street Waterloo

The Latest

Your one-stop-shop for all the latest stories, news, events, and opportunities – including grants and funding programs – across Main Street.

Overview News & Stories Events & Opportunities Subscribe
Woman and girl at a festival booth in Kendall Whittier, Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Kendall Whittier — Tulsa, Oklahoma © Kendall Whittier Main Street

Get Involved

Join us in our work to advance shared prosperity, create strong economies, and improve quality of life in downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts.

Overview Join Us Renew Your Membership Donate Partner With Us Job Opportunities
Anew Life Blog Header

The American Express Backing Small Businesses grant program will launch its second year on Monday, March 20, with $2.3 million in grants available to eligible small business owners across the U.S. and territories. The grant program, formerly known as Inclusive Backing, began in 2021 to help underrepresented small business owners recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and grow their businesses. Now in its second year, the program is increasing the number of grants awarded and total funding to further support small business owners – this time, with a focus on helping underrepresented small business owners build their economic vitality and foster a thriving community. Also new this year is the opportunity for grantees who are awarded one of the $5,000 grants to be considered for a $25,000 Enhancement Grant, allowing them the opportunity to fund a transformational project meant to grow the business. For more information and eligibility requirements, visit the grant program webpage.

To gear up for the launch of the program, we’ll be telling stories about previous grantees – starting with Kim and Chris Casteel of Anew Life Prosthetics and Orthotics based in Detroit, Michigan.

Kim & Chris Casteel: Anew Life Prosthetics and Orthotics 

Kim and Chris were among the first 75 grantees of the grant program when it launched in early 2022. The first cycle of the program awarded grants to small business owners who identified as persons with disabilities and/or as Asian, Asian American, and/or Pacific Islander.

The Casteel’s business, Anew Life Prosthetics and Orthotics, offers a full spectrum of state-of-the-art prosthetics and orthotics to people of any age. The business’s goal is to help anyone without fitting or functional prostheses or orthoses to achieve their needs for daily activities.

The couple’s mission is rooted in Chris’s own story. Chris has been an amputee since losing his leg in a motorcycle accident. Shortly after the accident, he founded the University of Michigan Amputee Support Group in Ann Arbor, and was soon inspired to go back to school to obtain his master’s degree in Prosthetics and Orthotics and residencies. After their completion, Chris and Kim launched Anew Life Prosthetics and Orthotics in February 2011.

“It is my passion to help every amputee or person with a limb loss to live their life with strength, courage, and confidence, and give them the motivation and determination to do whatever they put their mind to,” wrote Chris in the grant application.

In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic had a massively disruptive effect on their business. They lost several patients, resources, and referral sources – and most notably, they lost their ability to network with referral sources, halting their normal method for marketing and growth.

In their grant application, Kim and Chris laid out an innovative plan for reaching new audiences without their typical advertising channels. Their strategy was to use the $5,000 grant to purchase digital ads, including Google and YouTube ads, to increase their outreach online. They also planned to use the funds to improve their 3D printer so they could make supplies for their patients in a more cost-efficient way. In addition to these internal improvements, Chris and Kim planned to use a percentage of the funds to continue their work in providing care to underinsured and under-housed patients, many of whom lost limbs due to extreme weather exposure. In addition, they planned to expand care to refugees, asylum seekers, and individuals injured in overseas' conflicts.

Over a year has passed since the grant was administered, and Chris and Kim have reported that they have greatly increased their patient outreach, resulting in more calls, appointments, and new patients. Their increased outreach has enabled them to also provide services to underserved communities within their local community, including working alongside local non-profit and charitable organizations.

“We greatly appreciate the support you have given our company with this grant,” said Kim. “This grant has helped us to reach more people – and significantly impact our community.”

For more information about the Backing Small Businesses grant program, visit the webpage here. If you are an eligible small business owner interested in applying for the grant, please click here to set up a reminder on your calendar.

*Formerly known as Inclusive Backing