Business and Commerce Grants

This funding initiative provides financial support to small food businesses in specific cultural corridors of Washington, DC, helping them grow and thrive while preserving the community's cultural identity.

This funding program provides financial support to local organizations in Martinez, California, for community projects that improve education, economic development, cultural activities, and environmental initiatives.

This program provides financial support to small businesses owned by residents of Ward 8 in Washington, D.C., helping them access capital for growth and sustainability.

This program provides financial assistance to Illinois local governments to support private businesses in creating and retaining jobs for low-to-moderate income individuals in economically distressed areas.

This program provides financial assistance to local governments in Wisconsin for essential transportation infrastructure projects that help create or retain jobs by attracting or supporting businesses.

This funding opportunity supports collaborative economic development projects across multiple Appalachian states, targeting local governments, nonprofits, and educational institutions to drive regional transformation and growth.

This grant provides financial support to Pennsylvania counties for educational programs focused on household hazardous waste management and pollution prevention initiatives.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to educational institutions and governmental organizations to improve transparency and accountability in Malawi's extractive sector and public debt management.

This program provides funding to nonprofit organizations and other eligible entities in Oregon to deliver technical assistance to small businesses that are underrepresented and underserved, ensuring equitable access to resources and support.

This funding opportunity is designed to empower emerging leaders in the space sector across the Middle East and North Africa by providing training and resources to enhance collaboration with the United States in space policy and commerce.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for research and technical assistance projects that foster job creation and economic development in distressed communities across the U.S. and its territories.

This contest provides financial support and promotional opportunities to small businesses in the U.S. with 50 or fewer employees, helping them grow and gain visibility through AT&T's network.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to federally recognized Tribes, Alaska Native Villages, and Alaska Native corporations to develop innovative forest market solutions that promote environmental stewardship and strengthen Tribal economies.

The Transportation Economic Development Infrastructure (TEDI) Program is authorized under Minnesota Statute 116J.436 and is administered jointly by the Minnesota Department of Transportation and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). The program is designed to foster interagency coordination and provide financing for infrastructure projects that promote economic development, create jobs, and improve transportation systems throughout Minnesota. It specifically supports projects that accommodate private investment and job creation by funding infrastructure improvements beyond trunk highway projects, although coordination with trunk highway work undertaken by MnDOT is encouraged. Eligible projects include predesign, design, land acquisition, construction, reconstruction, and infrastructure improvements that enhance economic development and employment opportunities. Funding cannot be used for trunk highway improvements, but it can support nontrunk highway infrastructure improvements connected to trunk highway projects. Applicants must be local units of government, such as cities, counties, or special districts. DEED awards funds as grants, and although there is no formal match requirement, applications with substantial private investment and leverage of nonstate funds are more competitive. A resolution from the local government certifying that pledged match funds are secured is required as part of the application. Applications will be evaluated competitively based on job creation (25 points), increase in local tax base (20 points), level of private investment (15 points), leverage of nonstate funds (15 points), and improvements to the transportation system serving the project area (25 points). Geographic balance between the metropolitan area and greater Minnesota is also considered, and applications must score at least 50 points to be eligible. The strongest proposals demonstrate a well-documented need, secured leverage resources, project readiness, and committed businesses with job creation plans. The application process opens June 30, 2025, with an informational session on July 10, 2025. Applications are due to DEED by 4:00 PM on September 29, 2025. Project selections will be made in December 2025. Projects should be completed within three years of the funding agreement execution, with DEED reserving the right to cancel awards for delays exceeding six months past the scheduled start date. Payment requests must be supported with invoices, canceled checks, and documentation of both TEDI and matching fund expenditures. Applicants must submit a completed TEDI Application in PDF format under 5 MB via email to Jeremy LaCroix at jeremy.lacroix@state.mn.us. The application includes detailed questions on project summary, job creation, transportation improvements, local tax base increases, private investment, and leveraged nonstate funds, as well as budget tables for nontrunk and trunk highway components. Required attachments include a local government resolution, maps, permit approvals, engineering status, construction timelines, property acquisition documentation, business commitment letters, and evidence of community support. Key contact for the program is Jeremy LaCroix at 651-259-7457 or via email at jeremy.lacroix@state.mn.us. Additional resources, such as the Greater Minnesota Business Development Public Infrastructure (BDPI) program and MnDOT’s Transportation Economic Development (TED) program, may be available through separate applications. All application materials are subject to public data rules under Minn. Stat. § 13.599 once the evaluation process is complete.

This program provides financial and technical assistance to Minnesota-based small businesses looking to start or expand their export activities, helping them overcome barriers to entering international markets.

This initiative provides $10,000 in unrestricted funding to women entrepreneurs in the U.S. who are running for-profit businesses with a strong commitment to purpose and impact.

This grant provides financial support and resources to female entrepreneurs in the U.S. who are running socially impactful businesses and need assistance to grow and sustain their ventures.

This funding opportunity supports youth-led conferences and workshops across the Pacific region, aimed at empowering emerging leaders aged 25 to 40 to collaboratively tackle critical regional challenges in areas such as security, food supply, digital media, and public health.

This program provides financial assistance to independently owned small businesses in historic commercial districts across the U.S. that are facing economic challenges and are committed to growth and community engagement.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to U.S.-based small businesses that have previously received Phase I awards to further develop and commercialize innovative research in agriculture, food systems, and environmental sustainability.