Eastern Iowa small business owner won't have to pay rent for two years

Danielle Ameling of Iron Leaf Press won the Project Bright Idea Business Plan Competition and her prize will be a new home for her business in downtown Lisbon, rent free, for up to two years.

The two-level, 1,000-square-foot building will be a much bigger space than Ameling's current operating venue, in her apartment in Mount Vernon.

The Lisbon building used to be a home that has been converted into a commercial space. Ameling is the first winner of the business plan competition.

She can occupy the building for two years.

"I'm hoping to be in there beginning in June," she said. "I'll have a grand opening mid to late June.

"It will be a big public celebration. I'll have other businesses there as well."

Iron Leaf Press is a letterpress and design studio that offers letterpress printing services such as wedding invitations and business cards. The business also does graphic design and branding brochures.