State Business and Commerce Grants

This initiative provides support and resources to help minority- and woman-owned businesses in Louisiana grow and scale their operations effectively.

This funding opportunity supports Minnesota-based organizations and individuals conducting applied crop research to improve agricultural practices and outcomes for local farmers and rural communities.

This funding opportunity is designed to help Minnesota retail service stations upgrade their infrastructure to sell higher ethanol fuel blends, particularly benefiting small businesses and communities with limited access to biofuels.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to local governments, recycling businesses, nonprofits, multifamily property owners, public housing authorities, and colleges for developing or improving recycling programs in multifamily residences across North Carolina.

This grant provides funding to local governments, non-profits, and businesses in North Carolina to develop programs that reduce food waste through food donation and organics recycling initiatives.

The StartHER Grant Program by Texas Woman’s University offers financial support ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 to women-owned startups in Texas, to be used for business-related activities such as purchasing equipment, marketing, and property improvements, with the aim of fostering growth and success in businesses that are five years old or less and meet specific eligibility criteria.

Applications are now being accepted for the Science & Technology Business Startup Grants from the New Mexico Economic Development Department. Donor Name: New Mexico Economic Development Department State: New Mexico County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 09/24/2024 Size of the Grant: Not Available Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The New Mexico Science & Technology Business Startup Grant is a competitive state-funded grant that supports small businesses engaged in research and development with the potential for commercializing their technology. This grant assists early-stage companies that are developing a unique product and exhibit strong growth potential. Funds from this grant are intended for business development expenses, providing recipients additional resources to commercialize their technology in their company’s early stage. Criteria New Mexico-based for-profit science or technology companies are eligible to apply. Applicants must be in one of the following industry sectors: aerospace, biosciences, advanced computing, intelligent manufacturing, and sustainable and green energy. For more information, visit EDD.

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 Bioprocessing Research Infrastructure Program is a grant aimed at enhancing Illinois' bioprocessing sector by funding the development of infrastructure, capital equipment, technical staff, and providing affordable access to facilities for businesses and students.

A grant provided through this opportunity will support business retention investments needed for the continuation of a company’s operating presence in Illinois. Mandatory requirements: • Minimum employee retention level:100 • Eligible entities: 1. Must be a private for-profit business entity 2. Must be the legal owner of and have the authority to implement investments in a manufacturing complex already located and operating in Bushnell, IL. 3. Must have extensive direct applicable experience in operating a successful tool manufacturing firm. 4. Business entity must have less than 1,000 employees in Illinois. 5. Must have acquired a 100 full-time equivalent tool manufacturing firm in in McDonough County. In order to maximize the effectiveness of this retention investment, the applicant must maintain the operational production status of current product lines and not relocate these to other physical sites outside of an existing manufacturing plant located within Bushnell, IL. Expenses related to this grant must be directly tied to the retention of employees or improvements of the facilities located in Bushnell. For example, reimbursements for payroll and facility improvements may be acceptable under this grant.

The TII grant aims to create new internship opportunities for Texas students in Middle Skill STEM Occupations, providing them with work experience, educational credit, and potential progress towards industry-based certification, while also enabling employers to train potential future employees and address skill shortages.

The Vermont Agency of Agriculture is offering the Resilient Food System Infrastructure grant, ranging from $10,000 to $100,000, to support Vermont-based businesses and organizations in strengthening local and regional food systems by increasing market access, production, and product diversity, with a focus on creating new revenue streams and economic opportunities, improving job quality, and enhancing compliance with food safety requirements.

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity is accepting applications for its Manufacturing Retention Grant Program to retain a company’s operating presence in Illinois by encouraging investments in its employees, facilities, equipment, technologies, and infrastructure. Donor Name: Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity State: Illinois County: McDonough County (IL) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 09/25/2024 Size of the Grant: More than $1 million Grant Duration: 2 Years Details: This is a new program with limited awards, supported though the Enterprise Fund administered by DCEO. Enterprise Fund grants may encompass a wide range of economic development projects including infrastructure, capital equipment purchases and any employee related expenditures that will result in job retention in Illinois.  The primary goal of this grant is to retain the company’s manufacturing campus in Bushnell at operating production levels that support the minimum employment level of 100 employees at this site.  Funding Information Total amount of funding expected to be awarded through this NOFO is $5,000,000. Grant Period The period of performance is expected to be from September 1, 2024 through August 31, 2026.  Eligible Expenses Eligible expenses for these funds include: Employee payroll for existing employees, including unpaid backpay incurred from 5/14/2024 through the time of grant period. Invoices for services incurred from 5/14/2024 through the time of grant period. Training expenses for existing employees.  Machinery, Equipment, Tooling Refurbishment /Replacement (e.g., forging hammers & dies, Swiss lathes, forklift maintenance, EDM mills & dies). Facility Repairs (e.g., roof repair, air compressor installation, safety & electrical upgrades, site demolition & clean-up). Productivity/Innovation (e.g., robotics reprogramming & expansion, induction heat furnaces, material storage redesign). Replenishment of Inventory (e.g., maintain stocking levels at standard amounts to support daily production). Eligibility Criteria Must be a private for-profit business entity.  Must be the legal owner of and have the authority to implement investments in a major manufacturing complex located in Bushnell, IL. Must have extensive direct applicable experience in operating a successful tool manufacturing firm. Business entity must have less than 1,000 employees.  Must have acquired a tool manufacturing firm in McDonough County that has a minimum 100 full-time equivalent employees.  For more information, visit DCEO.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to eligible contractors for developing renewable energy and energy efficiency projects that benefit low-income communities and promote workforce training in Illinois.

This grant provides federal funding to local agencies, tribes, and nonprofits in Washington to rehabilitate and maintain recreational trails for various outdoor activities, ensuring a sustainable backcountry experience.

This grant provides funding to various organizations in Washington State to create outdoor education and recreation opportunities for underserved and historically excluded youth.

The Mayor’s Office of Community Development is excited to announce the availability of funding for MLK Day of Service Community Projects, offering grants of up to $10,000. Donor Name: Mayor’s Office of Community Development State: County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 09/16/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The grant aims to support projects that honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy by promoting community service, advancing social justice, and addressing essential community needs. Eligibility Criteria  Eligible applicants for this grant include non-profit organizations, educational institutions, faith-based organizations, and businesses located in Louisiana. All applicants must be in good standing with the City of Baton Rouge and the Secretary of State. The project must be located in a Low to moderate-income area as defined by Housing Urban Development (HUD). For more information, visit Mayor’s Office of Community Development.

Business Oregon is offering a grant of over $1 million for the development and expansion of early learning and child care resources, prioritizing culturally specific organizations, programs expanding child care slots, and those operating in child care deserts, with funds to be used for construction, renovation, property acquisition, and planning projects related to child care infrastructure.

The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program, managed by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity in Illinois, provides funds to assist Illinois communities in their economic and community development efforts, particularly focusing on aiding individuals with low-to-moderate income.

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.