American Express and Main Street America

SILVER CITY, NM — On Tuesday, June 25, American Express and Main Street America announced the grant recipients for the Backing Small Businesses Grant Program. Birdwell's Vintage Vibes, located at 602 North Bullard Street in historic downtown Silver City, NM was among the winners.

"We are extremely proud and grateful for the grant we received from Mainstreet America and American Express," said Kelly Edwards and Bryant Foster, owners of Birdwell's Vintage Vibes. To learn more about Birdwell's Vintage Vibes visit their website, www.birdwellsvintagevibes.com, or stop by and see them at 602 North Bullard Street, across from The Hub Plaza.

"I am very glad Kelly and Bryant applied for and were awarded this grant," said Sharla Lefkowitz-Oberg, Silver City MainStreet Project Executive Director. "Grant opportunities to support business owners are far and few between, and it is wonderful to see this money coming to our community. I am so happy for Birdwell's Vintage Vibes!"

American Express and Main Street America announced the 500 small business owners who have been awarded $10,000 through the Backing Small Businesses grant program. The program's 2024 grant recipients represent U.S. small businesses across all 50 states, plus D.C. and Puerto Rico. Later this year, grantees will have the opportunity to apply for an additional $30,000 enhancement grant that will be awarded to 25 small businesses.

Since launching in 2021, Backing Small Businesses has provided over $9 million in grants to 1,180 small business owners nationwide. American Express and Main Street America initially created the grant program to help economically vulnerable small business owners recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and grow their businesses.

This program is part of American Express' "Backing Small" initiative to provide financial support and resources to small business owners experiencing economic hardships. Other Backing Small grant programs include Backing Historic Small Restaurants and Backing International Small Restaurants. Backing Small is an extension of American Express' longstanding commitment to support small independent businesses globally, including through its Shop Small movement and Small Business Saturday campaign, celebrating its 15th anniversary this year.

Meet the most recent Backing Small Businesses Enhancement Grant Recipients: https://mainstreet.org/the-latest/news/500-small-business-owners-receive-10-000-grants-through-backing-small-businesses-program. To learn more about the Backing Small Businesses grant program and learn about the grantees, click here.