North Carolina Business and Commerce Grants

The Municipal Service District Grant Program provides financial assistance to commercial property owners and building tenants for enhancements to building facades, landscapes, and parking lots and the installation of new pedestrian elements. Donor Name: City of Salisbury State: County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 08/30/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The MSD Incentive Grant assists property and business owners within the Downtown Municipal Service District with enhancements to building facades, landscapes, driveways, and parking lots. These projects can range from minor repairs and repainting to substantial façade and landscape rehabilitation projects and the installation of new pedestrian amenities such as outdoor seating, planters, awnings, café fences, and lighting. Funding Information Grants are awarded on a 50/50 matching basis with a maximum City participation of $5,000. Eligible Projects Introduction of new pedestrian amenities, including planters, outdoor seating, café fencing, umbrellas, lighting, bicycle racks, and art – including the purchase of Salisbury Sculpture Show sculptures  Installation of new façade elements, including signage, lighting, and awnings  Painting of murals and ghost sign restoration  Restoration and rehabilitation of storefronts  Removal of false façades and metal canopies  Repair and replacement of windows and doors  Repair or reconstruction of architectural details  Repointing brick and masonry repairs  New parking lot amenities, including landscaping and artwork  Paving improvements  Exterior painting  Green building improvements, including solar panels, electric vehicle charging stations, green roofs, and white roofs  Other building and landscape beautification projects that enhance that appearance and pedestrian-friendly environment of the Municipal Service District  Ineligible Projects  Routine maintenance  Painting of unpainted masonry or brick – excluding approved murals  New building construction  Interior rehabilitation Properties with any delinquencies in taxes or City utilities cannot be reviewed  Unapproved alterations to buildings, parking lots, and landscapes within the Local Historic District  Projects that have commenced prior to review by the CAC Grants Subcommittee For more information, visit City of Salisbury.

The One North Carolina Small Business Program offers two grant opportunities for small businesses in the state. The Incentive Funds initiative provides reimbursement to qualified businesses for a portion of the costs incurred in preparing and submitting Phase I SBIR or STTR proposals to federal agencies. A pool of $400,000 is available for these preparation grants in the 2023-24 fiscal year. The Matching Funds portion of the program awards matching funds to businesses who have already received a federal Phase I SBIR or STTR award. In the current fiscal year, a pool of more than $2.4 million is available to support this class of grants. To apply for either the Incentive or Matching grant solicitations, interested organizations can visit commerce.nc.gov/grants-incentives/technology-funds/one-north-carolina-small-business-program. Applications will be accepted until June 30, 2024, or until funds have been exhausted for the program’s 2023-24 fiscal year funding cycle.

This initiative provides funding and support to nonprofit organizations, local governments, and Tribal governments in coal-impacted communities to develop and scale innovative economic projects that create job opportunities and foster local economic transformation.

The purpose of the Rowan Chamber’s Small Business Assistance Grant pilot program is to strengthen and grow established businesses within the City of Salisbury. By making these grants available, the Chamber is fulfilling its mission of driving economic stability, diversity, and growth in our community. Accessibility to funding contributes to the strength and effectiveness of the entrepreneurial ecosystem which in turn supports and nurtures small businesses. The Chamber recognizes the value of entrepreneurism/small businesses who bring innovation, quality of life, jobs, and investment to the community. Businesses who receive funding through this program will be those who bring innovation and therefore have a unique competitive edge. They must be good corporate citizens and are encouraged to support their employees and other locally owned businesses. Applicants are not required to be Rowan Chamber investors (members) in order to participate. Since the funding is coming from the City of Salisbury, applicants must operate their business within the City of Salisbury limits. Since there are already a number of downtown business grants, this small business grant is designed to focus on priority corridors outside of downtown, for example: West End, South Main St. & West Innes St. Small business grant overview: Businesses located in City of Salisbury limits with 10 or fewer employees (or full time equivalent). They must be a legal entity and registered with the NC Secretary of State and have appropriate permits to operate. They must submit a quality business plan (FREE assistance available from RCCC Small Business Center) Grant funds may be used for a fixed asset utilized for the business or permanent improvements to physical space (examples: manufacturing equipment, lawnmower, vacuum cleaner, building signage, lighting, awnings, flooring) Grant funds may NOT be used for ongoing operational expenses (examples: rent, utilities, salaries, financing debt, inventory, memberships, legal fees) Grant requests may range from $5,000 – $10,000.

This program provides matching funds to small businesses in North Carolina that have received federal SBIR or STTR awards, helping them develop and commercialize innovative technologies.

Applications are now being accepted for the 2024-2025 Haywood County Tourism Development Authority Grant. Donor Name: Haywood County Tourism Development Authority State: North Carolina County: Haywood County (NC) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/15/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: 1 Year Details: Grant Categories  Legacy Event Sponsorship: This grant category provides financial support for established events in Haywood County that have a demonstrated track record of attracting visitors and contributing to the local tourism industry. These events must showcase the unique aspects of Haywood County and its communities. Tourism Promotion Grant: This grant category focuses on funding marketing and promotional initiatives specifically aimed at enhancing the overall tourism image, visibility, and visitation of Haywood County. These grants support innovative campaigns, advertising efforts, and promotional activities that effectively reach target markets and attract visitors to the area. Grant applications must be a minimum of $2,000 to be considered for funding. Grant Period The HCTDA grant program operates on a fiscal year basis from July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025. Funding Criteria  This grant program is sustained by room tax revenue generated from overnight stays in Haywood County. Therefore, preference is given to applications for initiatives expected to attract visitors from outside a fifty (50) mile radius. These initiatives should demonstrate the potential to generate overnight stays and create economic and destination impact while also enhancing the quality of life for local residents. Eligibility Criteria  Legacy Event Sponsorship Eligible applicants include Haywood County non-profit organizations, for-profit businesses, museums, attractions, cultural events, governmental agencies, and other tourism-related entities. Tourism Promotion Grant Not-for-profit organizations, museums, attractions, governmental agencies, or other non-profit tourism entities. Not-for-profit organizations must have a minimum grant match of 50%. For-profit, tourism-based organizations may apply with a minimum grant match of 100%. For more information, visit HCTDA.

This funding program provides financial support to Black- and Latinx-owned small businesses in Forsyth County, North Carolina, to help them succeed, retain jobs, and create new employment opportunities.

This program provides $50,000 grants to early-stage North Carolina startups with innovative concepts and a strong market potential, along with mentorship and resources to accelerate their growth.

This grant provides funding to public entities, nonprofits, academic institutions, and tribal governments for projects that support the conservation and recovery of at-risk wildlife species in Washington State.

This program provides financial assistance to production companies organizing esports events in North Carolina, promoting economic growth through local spending and job creation.

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations that develop innovative resources and services to help adults in the middle or late stages of their careers with reskilling, upskilling, and career navigation, particularly those who are unemployed or underemployed.

This grant provides financial support to Black entrepreneurs who are positively impacting their communities, helping them grow and sustain their businesses.

This program provides financial support to local governments in rural North Carolina for infrastructure projects that create jobs and stimulate economic growth.

This program provides funding to non-profit organizations and local governments in Halifax County, North Carolina, to support tourism development projects that enhance visitor attractions and stimulate economic growth.

This grant provides financial support for property owners and business tenants in Kinston's Downtown Historic Commercial District to improve building façades and preserve historical architecture, enhancing the area's visual appeal and attracting more businesses.

This grant provides $10,000 in funding to early-stage startups in North Carolina that are validating their business models and developing innovative products, along with mentorship and resources to support their growth.

This funding opportunity supports collaborative research projects that combine local knowledge and scientific expertise to address coastal and water resource challenges in North Carolina.

This funding opportunity provides up to $8,000 for community projects in Charlotte that focus on litter prevention, waste reduction, beautification, and enhancing green spaces.

This grant provides funding to local governments in economically distressed areas of North Carolina for building renovations and infrastructure improvements that create new, full-time private sector jobs.

This grant provides funding to schools, nonprofits, and businesses in Wake County, North Carolina, to implement innovative projects that reduce waste through recycling, composting, and other diversion strategies.