North Carolina Business and Commerce Grants

This program provides financial assistance to local governments in North Carolina for restoring critical public infrastructure to support small businesses impacted by Hurricane Helene.

This program provides financial assistance to small business owners in Raleigh to improve their commercial properties, encouraging the activation of vacant or underutilized spaces and the creation of new jobs.

This funding initiative provides financial support to local communities in the Appalachian Region for projects that enhance critical infrastructure and promote business and workforce development.

This program provides matching reimbursement funds to small business owners and property owners in Raleigh for improving the exteriors of their commercial buildings, fostering community enhancement and economic growth.

This grant provides funding to individuals and organizations in North Carolina to create and support diverse entrepreneurial programs and events that foster community engagement and collaboration.

This funding opportunity supports local organizations in enhancing digital literacy and broadband access to drive economic growth and improve community quality of life.

This initiative provides funding to support large-scale economic development projects across the Appalachian region, focusing on workforce development, business growth, infrastructure improvements, and community capacity building.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to organizations that empower underrepresented innovators, entrepreneurs, and small businesses in Raleigh, North Carolina, to foster economic development and collaboration within the community.

Beyond Open is a competitive small business grant program focused on enhancing economic mobility within Charlotte's Corridors of Opportunity. It aims to support diverse-owned small businesses, including those owned by minorities, women, veterans, LGBTQ individuals, and persons with disabilities. The grant can be used for capital assets such as equipment, technology, inventory, and real estate, and does not require repayment. Administered by FFTC Partners For Empowering Communities, a supporting organization of the Foundation For The Carolinas, and funded by the Wells Fargo Open for Business Fund, Beyond Open has awarded over $10 million in grants to nearly 300 small businesses during its first two rounds. The third round will distribute approximately $5 million in grants. The program aims to retain jobs, encourage job growth, and inspire new entrepreneurial endeavors in areas with low economic mobility and among historically underrepresented groups. It also seeks to create opportunities for small businesses to provide goods or services in affluent areas where minority business owners have been under-represented.

The Orange County Business Investment Grant Program in North Carolina is seeking applications to provide financial support ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 to stimulate non-farm business development and expansion within the county, with eligibility criteria including the business's physical location, operational duration, tax status, and connection with business counseling services.

This program provides financial support to non-farm businesses in Orange County, particularly those owned by women and BIPOC, to help them grow, hire staff, and make a positive economic impact.

This grant provides funding to governmental entities and nonprofit organizations in North Carolina for projects that promote economic development, job creation, and workforce training, particularly in rural and tobacco-dependent communities.

The North Carolina Department of Commerce is seeking applications for its Rural Downtown Economic Development Grants. Donor Name: North Carolina Department of Commerce State: County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 06/20/2024 Size of the Grant: More than $1 million Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The purpose of this program is to support downtown revitalization and economic development initiatives that are intended to help local governments grow and leverage downtown districts as assets for economic growth, economic development, and prosperity. Funding availability is at the discretion of the Rural Infrastructure Authority. RDED Grants will support projects that Provide public improvements that help retain business and attract customers to business districts. Support publicly owned downtown economic development initiatives that leverage main streets and downtown districts as economic engines. Facilitate publicly owned building improvements that are used for community-wide uses or mixed-use development in or on properties that are publicly owned and controlled. Funding Information The maximum grant amount is $850,000 per grantee and may not exceed $12,500 per projected job created or retained. Eligible Activities Public Infrastructure – Improvements to publicly owned infrastructure in a downtown district, that serves a community-wide use, such as lots, alleys, streetscapes, waterfront developments and parks. Public Buildings (Renovation or Additions) – Improvements to publicly owned buildings in a downtown district that serve a public, community-wide use, such as a community center, theater, civic center, recreation center, or library. Mixed-Use Downtown Development (Renovation or Additions) – Improvements to publicly owned property in a downtown district that may be zoned and developed for a mix of uses. The mix of use may include two or more of the following: retail, restaurant, service, professional, nonprofit, governmental, institutional, or residential. Eligibility Criteria Eligible applicants are units of local government located in Tier 1 or Tier 2 counties, and rural census tracts in Tier 3 counties. For the purposes of this program, units of local government are defined as municipal or county governments within the state of North Carolina. For more information, visit NCDC.

The Pat Sanford Animal Welfare Grant, offered by Orange County Animal Services in North Carolina, provides up to $500 for individuals, groups, or organizations to fund animal welfare initiatives in Orange County, honoring the legacy of former Animal Protection Society Executive Director, Pat Sanford.

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 program provides financial assistance to small businesses in Raleigh for improving the exteriors of their commercial buildings, enhancing the visual appeal of the community.

This program provides financial support to established small businesses in downtown North Wilkesboro and Wilkesboro, North Carolina, to enhance their operations through equipment upgrades, physical space improvements, and e-commerce development.

This grant provides funding to recycling businesses and nonprofit organizations in North Carolina to enhance their capacity and efficiency in diverting materials from the waste stream and creating jobs.

The North Carolina Department of Commerce is requesting proposals for its Rural Building Reuse Program. Donor Name: North Carolina Department of Commerce State: North Carolina County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 06/20/2024 Size of the Grant: Not Available Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Building Reuse Grant Program develop older buildings in your community into assets to attract new or expanding businesses with the state’s Building Reuse Program. This program provides grants to local governments, using three categories of funding for: The renovation of vacant buildings The renovation or expansion of a building occupied by an existing North Carolina company wishing to expand in their current location The renovation, expansion or construction of health care entities that will lead to the creation of new, full-time jobs. Eligible Projects And Expenses Vacant Building Category Grants are available to support the renovation of vacant buildings. The building must be vacant for at least three months prior to application deadlines. Existing Business Building Category Grants are available to support the renovation or expansion of buildings occupied by a company operating in the state of North Carolina for at least 12 months. Companies must also meet the weekly wage standard, provide at least 50% benefits to employees and be represented on the Priority Industry Table. Rural Health Category Grants are available to support the renovation, expansion or construction of health care entities. The health care entity must be licensed by the State of North Carolina. Eligible applicants are units of local government located in either a Tier 1 or Tier 2 county, or a rural census tract in a Tier 3 county. In Tier 1 or Tier 2 counties, priority will be given to towns or communities with populations less than 5,000. As prescribed in N.C.G.S. 143B-472.127(a)(2), a rural census tract is an area having a population density of less than 500 people per square mile according to the most recent decennial federal census. The program requires a cash match equal to the grant request amount. The local government must contribute at least 5% of the cash match. The cash match shall come from local resources and may not be derived from other State or federal grant funds. For more information, visit NCDC.

This grant provides financial support to women in Western North Carolina who are starting or advancing careers in the food, beverage, agriculture, and hospitality industries, particularly those affected by Hurricane Helene.