Business and Commerce Grants

City of Tehachapi Small Business Sign Grant Program (California) is offering grants ranging from $500 to $3,000 to assist small businesses in the City with installing or improving their signs. The program aims to eliminate blight, encourage economic development, and enhance properties within the City’s commercial districts. Priority funding will be given to projects that align with the City Design Guidelines. The grant includes reimbursement of up to 50% of eligible sign costs, with a minimum of $500 and a maximum of $3,000. Recipients are required to maintain the building sign for a three-year term. Eligible applicants include owners and tenants of small businesses or commercial properties within the City of Tehachapi.

The program offers assistance to targeted economic driver industries culminating over time in the development, diversification, competitiveness and growth in sectors that provide sustained high quality jobs, continued innovation and increase in GDP in Wisconsin. Applicants must be actively engaged in distinct industry or sector development or engaged in efforts to enhance cross-industry competitiveness, such as workforce development, market development, new investments, business attraction and acquisition of specialized competitive assets or facilities. These investments are generally intended to support strategic industry initiatives and investments, develop shared-use infrastructure, help fund industry-related pilot projects, expand successful initiatives, increase geographic reach or allow for expansion of consortia efforts.

The EMG program provides early-stage technology-based companies with services and funding to support their efforts in obtaining significant federal grant funding. Additionally, Business Planning services rendered by the Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) increase the entrepreneurial proficiency of state entrepreneurs and small business owners. WEDC provides funding to the Center for Technology Commercialization (CTC) to deliver microgrants to clients for the services below: • Small Business lnnovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) Assistance program, providing up to $4,500 for assistance to prepare and submit an SBIR/STTR or other federal funding proposal. Applicants awarded federal funding may receive an additional $1,000 funding bonus through the program. • Commercialization Planning Assistance, providing individual and small business applicants up to $4,500 for assistance in completing business validation activities and a comprehensive market study or business plan or commercialization plan to procure Phase ll SBIR/STTR funding or to prepare for angel or venture capital funding. Applicants must utilize an eligible professional services provider. • Entrepreneurial Training Program, providing a grant of up to $750 to entrepreneurs upon successful completion of start-up coursework provided by the SBDC in the University of Wisconsin-System. Eligible applicants must provide at least a $250 match. Eligible coursework may focus on either business modeling or business planning.

This funding opportunity supports Wisconsin businesses in certain industries by covering up to 75% of the costs for hiring an independent expert to develop a comprehensive business or commercialization plan, particularly for those seeking a Phase II SBIR/STTR grant.

BBB Cleveland Spark Award for Young Entrepreneurs is a $2,000 cash prize available to entrepreneurs aged 35 and younger with new businesses in Northeast Ohio. The award recognizes businesses less than three years old that demonstrate high character, authentic culture, and social impact within their community. Eligible organizations must be located in selected counties within BBB Serving Greater Cleveland's service area and have earned a "B" rating or higher from BBB. The deadline for application is 01/31/2024. For more information and to apply, visit the Better Business Bureau website.

This program provides financial assistance to small businesses in Burien, Washington, to help them recover from the pandemic's economic impacts by funding storefront repairs and improvements.

City of New Bedford Enhanced Facade Improvement Program in Massachusetts offers a Facade Grant to owners and tenants of commercial properties to enhance or restore the original character of their buildings. The program aims to facilitate commercial revitalization, stimulate private investment, preserve and beautify New Bedford’s Commercial Districts, and create a pleasant walking environment. The objective is to assist in substantially beautifying the entire facade or elevation of a commercial building while promoting retail activities, encouraging neighborhood character and architectural design, and using quality materials with good design concepts. Applications prepared by tenants must be signed and submitted by the building owner.

This program provides financial assistance to local businesses in Leavenworth for upgrading fire safety systems and improving accessibility in their buildings.

Grant opportunity: Job Creation and Business Incentive Program in California offers forgivable loans to prospective and existing business owners for job creation. Eligible businesses include new ventures or existing ones looking to expand their floor area by 50% or more. The grants can be used for interior/exterior improvements, purchase of business equipment, furniture, fixtures, and working capital.

This program provides financial assistance to businesses in Carson, California, for exterior improvements to enhance their storefronts and contribute to the city's revitalization efforts.

Business Innovation & Support Grants are available for small businesses in Iowa with one to 10 employees. This program, funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and administered in partnership with the City and Chamber of Commerce, aims to provide financial support to small businesses that have faced challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. Grant funding ranges from $5,500 to $15,500, and recipients will also receive up to five hours of mandatory business counseling from a pre-approved business coach, with $500 reserved from each cash award for this coaching fee.

The Main Street Business Relocation Grant Program in Maryland, offered by the City of Laurel, aims to support the success and growth of businesses in the Main Street business area while creating local job opportunities. To be eligible, applicants must have a pre-application meeting with a representative from the Department of Economic and Community Development. Once deemed eligible, applicants can submit a completed application along with preliminary plans that adhere to design guidelines and code requirements. It's important to note that any improvements made prior to application approval and agreement execution are not eligible for reimbursement.

The City of La Verne's Business Assistance Grant Program in California provides eligible businesses with one-time $2,500 grants to support their re-opening, job creation and retention, and provision of quality services to La Verne residents. Recipients can use the grant funds for various purposes, including overhead expenses, rent, utilities, business services like web development to enhance capacity, and essential equipment for ongoing operations.

This program provides financial assistance to small to mid-sized businesses and building owners in Indiana for improving their properties through reimbursement for renovation costs.

This program provides $5,000 grants to small businesses and non-profits in Oyster Bay with up to 50 employees and annual revenues between $35,000 and $5 million to help them recover from pandemic-related losses.

California: Tourism and Special Event Grants Program provides financial support for activities promoting Livermore's downtown, wine country, and events that boost tourism and generate economic benefits for the region. The program awards five grants of $2,000 each to event organizers who can demonstrate direct benefits to Livermore downtown businesses and local wineries, as well as a minimum of 1,000 combined expected attendees in person and virtually. Preference is given to new and innovative events not previously supported by the grant.

This program provides financial incentives to businesses that create at least 10 full-time jobs in Toledo, helping to boost local employment and attract companies in key industries.

State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) Grant is available for small businesses in Colorado to support their international expansion efforts. The grant provides funding of up to $10,000 per year for activities such as attending trade shows, holding international business meetings, researching new markets, updating marketing materials for new markets, and compliance testing. Administered by the Global Business Development (GBD) division, this program is funded in part by the U.S. Small Business Administration.

The Tillamook Coast Tourism Signage Grant in Oregon aims to support tourism business owners by covering the costs of updated signage, ultimately enhancing the visitor experience. This initiative is made possible by lodging tax revenues collected by Tillamook County since 2013, fulfilling a commitment to use these funds to improve the community. Over $10 million has already been allocated to various tourism-related projects, with an additional $1 million provided in marketing grants to nonprofits and businesses by the Tillamook Coast Visitors Association.

GOALS OF THE IDAHO WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT TRAINING FUND (WDTF): Increase the economic mobility of Idahoans through training that leads to wage gains and retention. Provide timely assistance to businesses while shifting focus to broader talent pipeline development strategies that serve multiple employers. Support growth of the economy by assisting employers with job creation and integration of technology, specifically through the development of skills in their existing and/or new employees. Provide a return on investment to Idahoans as evidenced by increased wages, job creation, capital investment, retention of Idaho's workforce, credential attainment, and/or customer satisfaction (employer and trainee). Promote innovation in talent development. Encourage replication of best practices in talent pipeline development. Idaho can help you find people—the right people—and we’ll even reimburse you to train them. It’s a win win: you’ll build a qualified, capable team, and your employees will see the benefits of committing to your business for the long haul.