Grants for Exclusive - see details - Business and Commerce

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity is offering a grant of over $1 million, with a total funding of $10,000,000, to educational and non-profit organizations in Urbana, Illinois, to promote bioprocessing through infrastructure and capital equipment expansion, increased training opportunities, and short course offerings, with the project having been partially funded by the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s Tech Hubs program.

RISE Implementation Grants will be used to invest in capital, business attraction, and community amenities that require more investment for the purpose of boosting post-COVID-19 economic recovery. RISE implementation grants will fund activities such as establishing new initiatives, launching pilot projects or making capital investments intended to accelerate economic recovery in Illinois communities and regions.

The Cultural Coalition of Washington County in Oregon is offering grants ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 to support arts, culture, and humanities projects that promote cultural diversity, community partnerships, and public engagement, with priority given to nonprofit organizations and educational institutions that serve the residents of Washington County.

The Texas Workforce Commission is offering a grant for local boards and higher education institutions to create Externships for Teachers, aiming to connect classroom learning with real-world industry skills, thereby preparing students for future workforce demands in their local Texas communities.

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) is offering the Rebuild Downtowns & Main Streets (RDMS) Capital Grant Program to support capital projects aimed at revitalizing commercial corridors and downtown areas in Illinois. This initiative is part of the effort to accelerate economic recovery following the pandemic, targeting areas that have experienced significant disinvestment. The program will fund projects such as the improvement and repair of infrastructure (roads, sidewalks, lighting), development of public spaces, and mixed-use developments. Grants range from $250,000 to $2,000,000, with an anticipated total funding of $20,000,000. Eligible applicants include economic development organizations, local units of government, and private businesses. The application period is from April 22, 2024, to July 22, 2024.

The Inflation Reduction Act Technology Commercialization Fund (IRA TCF) - Collaborative Alignment for Critical Technology Industries grant is a $15 million funding program by the U.S. Department of Energy aimed at promoting the commercialization and adoption of low-carbon technologies in the chemicals, cement, and metals industries to achieve deep decarbonization.

The Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant program provides funding for rural projects through local utility organizations. USDA provides zero-interest loans to local utilities which they, in turn, pass through to local businesses (ultimate recipients) for projects that will create and retain employment in rural areas. The ultimate recipients repay the lending utility directly. The utility then is responsible for repayment to USDA. USDA provides grants to local utility organizations which use the funding to establish Revolving Loan Funds (RLF). Loans are made from the revolving loan funds to projects that will create or retain rural jobs. When the revolving loan fund is terminated, the grant is repaid to USDA.The Agency anticipates the following maximum amounts per award: Loans - $2,000,000; Grants - $300,000.

This program provides funding for a wide range of projects across various sectors, offering financial support to organizations and individuals in Illinois with awards between $10,000 and $5,000,000.

Farm Credit East recognizes the significance of farmers’ markets for both producers and consumers. In support of this vital marketing channel, we are offering Farmers' Market Grants of up to $500 to eligible applicants. These grants can be utilized to support participating farmers, enhance markets, improve marketing efforts, and implement programs aimed at aiding disadvantaged communities or enhancing access to fresh, local food. Please note that these grants are intended for public markets where multiple farms sell products, not for individual farm markets. Eligibility: Farmers' markets must be located within Farm Credit East’s eight-state territory: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont. Preference will be given to first-time applicants and markets serving underserved communities with limited access to fresh, local food. Awards will be granted at the sole discretion of Farm Credit East. How to Apply/Application Requirements: The 2024 application cycle is currently open. Please submit the Farmers' Market Grant Application by 4:00 PM on May 31. Recipients will be notified by late June.

The United States Embassy in Bosnia and Herzegovina, through the Public Diplomacy Section (PDS), is pleased to announce a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to design and implement one (seven-day) BOLD (Balkanski Omladinski Lideri, Young Balkan Leaders) Economic Development/Entrepreneurship Workshop for Young Leaders in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). The goal of the workshop is to develop the skills of young leaders in BiH to create opportunities for economic development in their communities through developing and/or launching their own business plan or developing projects in support of entrepreneurship.Special emphasis should be placed on innovative business model design; project-based collaboration; and leveraging assets within the BOLD network to ensure project success.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to dairy farms and processing facilities in select Midwestern states to promote product development, diversification, and value-added dairy innovations.

The International Tourism Grant Program, issued by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), aims to support certified convention and visitor bureaus (CVBs) outside the City of Chicago in their international marketing efforts. The program targets markets such as Mexico, Canada, the UK/Ireland, German-speaking countries, France, India, Italy, Australia, and New Zealand. Grants will fund initiatives to promote Illinois as a travel destination, focusing on increasing international visitors through targeted marketing activities. Priority will be given to regions with significant international tourism products and those aligning with state marketing goals. Grants range from $10,000 to $250,000, with a total program funding of $1,000,000. Applications are open from August 1, 2024, to September 3, 2024, with awards expected to start on November 1, 2024. The grant period will last until June 30, 2025.

The Downtown Development Authority (DDA) of Lawrenceville has announced the Façade Grant Program. Donor Name: City of Lawrenceville State: Georgia City: Lawrenceville Type of Grant: Grant | Reimbursement Deadline: 05/31/2024 Size of the Grant: Not Available Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: DDA of Lawrenceville, Georgia, serves as a resource to City Council for the purpose of revitalizing downtown through smart land use planning, land banking, recruitment & retention of business to the area and the strategic execution of the people’s vision to be a vibrant and inclusive urban center.  Businesses within the Downtown Entertainment District are able to apply and receive reimbursement for expenses incurred during renovations performed on the exterior façade. Façade renovations are any projects that enhance or update the exterior of the building such as painting, restoration, stabilization, awning additions, improved signage, etc.  Eligibility Criteria Project must be located within the Downtown Entertainment District Reimbursement is only for expenses incurred during renovations performed on the exterior façade The project must also comply with all applicable building, development, zoning regulations, and ordinances. Subject to review of Planning and Development If the property is part of the National Historic Register, the Building  Inspection Department will not issue a permit allowing change without a preservation review Reimbursement is for half (up to $2,500/grant) of the total project cost Grant is void if approved work is not completed within twelve months of approval For more information, visit City of Lawrenceville.

The South Carolina Arts Commission is offering the ArtsNOW Schools Advancement Grants of $10,000 to $100,000 over three years to ArtsNOW Partner Schools in South Carolina, to support arts integration, professional learning, curriculum mapping, and planning through innovative practices.

The Route 66 Grant Program is designed to support the promotion and marketing of regions along the historic Route 66 corridor in Illinois. The program is specifically aimed at certified Convention & Visitor Bureaus (CVBs) and local tourism bureaus, which are eligible to apply for grants ranging from $20,000 to $300,000. The total program funding is $4 million. There is no cost-sharing requirement, and indirect costs are not allowed to prevent potential double dipping. Applications for the Route 66 grants will be accepted until September 16, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. Additionally, qualified entities can apply for International Tourism grants ranging from $10,000 to $250,000, with a separate application deadline of September 3, 2024, at 5:00 p.m.

The Child Care Infrastructure Grant Program is offering grants to existing child care facilities in Aroostook, Franklin, Penobscot, Piscataquis, Somerset, and Washington Counties in Maine. The grants are intended to support facilities in increasing their licensed capacity by providing funding for up to 50% of their expansion costs, with a maximum award of $30,000. The funds can be used for various purposes, including purchasing or renting a building and renovating it, constructing a new building, buying educational materials, acquiring indoor furniture and fixtures, creating an outdoor learning environment, buying playground equipment, procuring health and safety supplies, and having sufficient working capital. Priority will be given to applications that provide care for infants and toddlers, care for families income-eligible for subsidy, and participate in the USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program. The application process consists of two steps, with the first step being the Facility Expansion Application 1, which can be accessed through the provided link. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until June 30, 2024, or until all funds are awarded. If eligible, applicants will be invited to complete Facility Expansion Application 2, which includes a business and project plan and an expense estimate. The deadline for Application 2 is August 30, 2024, or until all funds are awarded. The processing time for applications is expected to be up to five weeks.

The NICS Improvement Amendments Act of 2007, P. L. 110-180 ("NIAA"), was initially signed into law by the President on January 8, 2008 (reauthorized by Title VI of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2018, P.L. 115-141). The NIAA amends the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act of 1993 ("the Brady Act") (Pub. L. 103-159), under which the Attorney General established the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). The Brady Act requires Federal Firearms Licensees (FFLs) to contact the NICS before transferring a firearm to an unlicensed person for information on whether the proposed transferee is prohibited from receiving or possessing a firearm under state or federal law. The NIAA authorizes grants to be made in a manner consistent with the National Criminal History Improvement Program (NCHIP). Under this award, the Tennessee Department of Finance and Administration, Office of Criminal Justice Programs will transfer funds to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) to aid in the state's efforts to improve criminal history records. Tennessee’s AFIS is the state version of the formerly Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System (IAFIS), now known as the Next Generation of Identification (NGI), which is the national fingerprint identification system that is managed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). For the TN AFIS to integrate effectively with the national system, the TBI must continually ensure improvements to the system are on-going and in alignment with the requirements of the FBI. Without the availability of funds for upgrades, the TBI has been working to maintain current service delivery by operating on a significantly older version of the TN AFIS system (2016); a version that now needs an even greater upgrade as each day goes by. TBI is requesting funds to implement a new AFIS with increased security and storage capacity, an upgraded disaster recovery plan, and rap back capability. Enhancing these functionalities will improve the quality and completeness of Tennessee’s computerized criminal history records, increase the number of available dispositions from courts and prosecutors, and improve mental health submissions reported to NICS.

The City of Somerville’s New Small Business Vitality Grant offers up to 12 months of rental support for physical storefronts. Donor Name: City of Somerville State: Massachusetts City: Somerville Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/15/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: 1 Year Details: Priority Applications During the review process, priority points will be given to: Businesses that have not received funding from the City or State previously (1 point) Businesses that are opening this storefront as a result of business displacement. Displacement is defined as: a business had to close its previous location as a result of the business storefront relocating from an “act of God” or extreme rental increase since April 2020. Documentation of rent increase from previous location required. Evaluation will be case-by-case as rent structures are varied (1 point) Immigrant-owned/women-owned/black, indigenous, people of color–owned (BIPOC)/ veteran-owned/lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBTQIA)-owned/disability-owned business enterprises (1 point) Businesses within a Qualified Census Tract (QCT) (1 point) Businesses with fewer than 5 full-time employees (1 point) Somerville resident-owned business enterprises  (1 point) Funding Information Funding will be up to $50,000 in rental support, covering both past and future rent expenses with a limit of 12 months. Eligibility Criteria Eligible Applicants Eligibility requirements for the New Small Business Vitality Grant include: The Business must be physically located in Somerville, Massachusetts. The Business must have opened a new storefront to the public on or after January 2023, or has leased a vacant space and is intending to open a new storefront in 2024. The Business must be a physical (brick-and-mortar) storefront; home-based businesses are not eligible. The Business must have fewer than 20 full-time employees. The Business must have a lease agreement for at least one year following the grant award. The Business must be operating in 5 or fewer locations. The Business must not meet the definition of formula retail – franchises, including independently owned locations, are not eligible for this Program. The Business must agree that if awarded, the Business will prioritize hiring local Somerville, MA residents, with a preference for low to moderate-income individuals when possible and suitable. For more information, visit City of Somerville.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for cultural and educational programs that promote mutual understanding and cooperation between the United States and Mexico, targeting nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, and individuals who collaborate with Mexican partners.

The Thrive Business Grant (TBG) is a program by the Trophy Club Economic Development Corporation aimed at supporting local businesses through reimbursable matching grants. The initiative focuses on enhancing the visual appeal and competitiveness of businesses in Trophy Club, driving economic growth and community prosperity. In 2023, the EDC allocated $300,000 to launch this program, supporting projects like façade improvements, interior renovations, and equipment purchases to maintain the town's charm and stimulate customer growth. Eligible applicants include property owners and tenants in Trophy Club who meet specific criteria such as being current on taxes, having no municipal liens, and adhering to local and state regulations. The application process involves Town Council approval, with a timeline starting on May 28, 2024, and deadlines on September 30, 2024, for applications, followed by reviews and tentative approval dates in December 2024. Projects must start within six months of grant receipt and funds are provided as reimbursements post-completion.