The Iowa City City Council will provide Molly’s Cupcakes owner Jamie Smith with a $35,000 Community Development Block Grant to open her business this summer.

Councilors approved funding for the business Tuesday.

According to the proposal, the city Economic Development Committee backed funding for the business because of prior business experience.

The 14 S. Clinton St. location of Molly’s Cupcakes would be the third branch of the franchise, which also has stores in New York and Chicago.

"It seems only natural going from New York to Chicago to Iowa City," Councilor Terry Dickens said.

The Daily Iowan previously reported that Molly’s Cupcakes will open in July or August.

— by Kristen East