Tennessee grants for Small businesses

This program provides support, mentorship, and funding to early-stage cleantech startups in Tennessee and surrounding regions to help them commercialize innovative technologies.

This program provides funding for businesses, nonprofits, community groups, churches, and educational institutions to implement projects that enhance neighborhood beauty, foster community engagement, and celebrate local culture in Jackson.

Federally funded program to enhance competitiveness of specialty crops such as fruits, vegetables, grapes, horticultural, etc. The purpose of the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) is to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops. Specialty crops are defined as “fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops (including floriculture).” Projects must show a benefit to the specialty crop industry. This program is not designed for start-ups or projects that only benefit one operation. Universities, institutions, cooperatives, producers, industry, or community-based organizations may submit a proposal for funding. A review committee will select projects to be included in Tennessee’s state plan. This is a competitive program. Projects must directly impact multiple Tennessee producers. The Tennessee Department of Agriculture seeks to identify and support projects that are forward thinking with a positive, long-lasting impact on Tennessee Agriculture.

This funding initiative supports Tennessee-based projects that enhance agricultural, food, and forestry sectors by promoting job creation and economic development through innovative processing and market access improvements.

EELP launched in the fall of 2010 with the purpose of establishing a low interest revolving loan fund to assist commercial and industrial businesses in implementing energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements, which, in turn, reduce operating costs, improve productivity, and make Tennessee businesses more competitive. In January 2016, EELP was expanded to offer financing to local government entities, including municipalities, counties, school districts, and other public agencies.

The overall goal of Lottery for Education: Afterschool Programs (LEAPs) is to provide Tennessee students with academic enrichment opportunities that reinforce and complement the regular academic program. In November 2002, Tennesseans voted to create a state lottery. The General Assembly established that profits from the lottery be used for specific educational programs: college scholarships, early childhood programs and afterschool programs.

This program provides financial assistance to Tennessee farmers and agricultural producers to help them invest in their operations, improve efficiency, and positively impact their communities.

This funding initiative aims to create lasting partnerships among educational institutions, industries, and workforce agencies in Tennessee to address local skills gaps and ensure that training programs align with the needs of employers.

This program provides financial assistance to companies in Tennessee to help cover the costs of training new employees, supporting job creation and economic growth in the state.

Technical and financial assistance to venues aimed at attracting visitors to farm, winery, farmers market, or other agritourism providers. The Tennessee Department of Agriculture offers educational and marketing resources for established or developing agritourism operations. TDA holds workshops and an annual conference focusing on marketing, safety and other important issues. The Pick Tennessee Products campaign and website are valuable free marketing tools provided by the Business Development Division.