NIAGARA, Wis. – The National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE), the nation’s leading advocate and resource for the self-employed and micro-business community, has announced that Niagara, Wis., small business, Swanson’s Evergreen Nursery, has been awarded one of its first-quarter Growth Grants.

Swanson’s Evergreen Nursery is one of three winners of NASE’s first-quarter Growth Grants and will receive $4,000 to help grow and expand their business operations.

Earlier this year, NASE announced they would be expanding their Growth Grant program to award over $48,000 in small business grants in 2015, an increase from the $20,000 awarded in 2014.

Swanson’s Evergreen Nursery located in Niagara was opened in 2013 and is owned by NASE member Joseph Swanson. Swanson will use the $4,000 Growth Grant award to operate the business until it is at full capacity in the spring of 2016.

“On behalf of the nation’s leading association for the self-employed and micro-business community, it’s our honor to announce that Swanson’s Evergreen Nursery as a recipient of our first-quarter Growth Grant of $4,000,” said John Hearrell, Vice President of Membership and Affiliate Programs.

“It is critical for us to support and recognize small business owners and sole proprietors who are exemplifying America’s entrepreneurial spirit. The awarding of this grants signifies our belief in this Wisconsin small businesses and we look forward to watching Joseph make the critical investments needed to grow and expand this family-owned business.”

Applications for the NASE’s 2015 Growth Grant program are currently being accepted from now through Dec. 10, 2015.

Applications are considered on a rolling basis throughout the year and winning small businesses will be awarded $4,000 grants monthly throughout 2015.