State Business and Commerce Grants

The 2024 Texas Rural Woman Grant, offered by Texas Woman's University, aims to foster economic development in rural Texas by empowering woman-owned small businesses to undertake innovative projects. This grant aligns with the university's mission to support women entrepreneurs and stimulate economic growth in underserved areas of the state. The program seeks to address the unique challenges faced by rural businesses, contributing to the overall economic well-being of Texas communities. The primary beneficiaries of this grant are existing rural, woman-owned small businesses in Texas. These businesses must be at least 51% directly owned and controlled by one or more U.S. citizen women who also reside in Texas. The grant focuses on for-profit corporations, partnerships, LLPs, LLCs, or sole proprietorships located and operated within eligible rural Texas counties. The impact goal is to encourage and enable these businesses to undertake new and innovative projects, thereby creating greater economic development activity in rural Texas. The grant prioritizes projects that involve the purchase of machinery, equipment, or technology; farm implements or machinery; the addition or acquisition of new inventory or raw materials; the purchase and installation of fixtures or display units; property improvements that will result in increased sales and revenue; and marketing or advertising campaigns. Any other business-related activity deemed aligned with the program's purpose by the Center for Women Entrepreneurs (CWE) is also eligible. This focus ensures that funding directly supports tangible growth and operational enhancements for the recipient businesses. The expected outcomes and measurable results include the successful implementation of new projects by ten woman-owned businesses, each receiving a $5,000 grant. Recipients are required to complete a small business training course, engage in three hours of small business advising/mentoring, and submit an approved business plan with three years of financials. These requirements are designed to not only provide immediate financial support but also equip business owners with the knowledge and resources for sustainable long-term success and growth, leading to increased sales and revenue for their businesses.

State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) Grant is available for small businesses in Colorado to support their international expansion efforts. The grant provides funding of up to $10,000 per year for activities such as attending trade shows, holding international business meetings, researching new markets, updating marketing materials for new markets, and compliance testing. Administered by the Global Business Development (GBD) division, this program is funded in part by the U.S. Small Business Administration.

This grant provides funding to various organizations and entities in California to promote innovation and sustainability in the forest products industry, supporting projects that enhance wood utilization and address workforce gaps.

The Field Trip Experiences (FTE) grant program, supported by the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities (CAH), aims to provide access to comprehensive arts and humanities field trip experiences for students in the District of Columbia. This program aligns with CAH's mission to advance student achievement through strategic planning and delivery of field trip experiences and associated programming. The grant also emphasizes creating authentic connections to curricular content across targeted grade levels and encouraging collaboration between arts and humanities organizations to build a "community of practice" and foster new relationships with public schools. The target beneficiaries of this grant are students and teachers in the District of Columbia. The program's impact goals include advancing student achievement in the arts and humanities, ensuring a strategic approach to field trip planning and delivery, and making strong connections to existing curricula. The grant prioritizes organizations that can provide engaging field trip experiences and professional development opportunities for educators, as well as pre/post-field trip workshops for students. Key focuses of the FTE grant include enhancing educational outcomes through arts and humanities, promoting collaboration among cultural organizations, and strengthening partnerships between these organizations and public schools. The program also highlights the importance of demonstrating measurable impact, ensuring that the field trip experiences and associated programming lead to tangible benefits for participating students and teachers. Expected outcomes of the FTE grant include increased student engagement in arts and humanities, improved student achievement, and enhanced professional development for educators. Measurable results are expected in areas such as student participation rates, teacher feedback on professional development, and demonstrated improvements in students' understanding of curricular content. The grant's duration is one year, with a period of performance from October 1, 2024, to September 30, 2025. Funding information indicates support up to $50,000, with an overall grant size ranging from $10,000 to $100,000.

This program provides financial support to businesses, nonprofits, and public entities in Ohio for energy efficiency projects that reduce energy costs and emissions while creating or retaining jobs.

The Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) is offering 2024 Families First Community Grants to eligible non-profit organizations in Tennessee. The program aims to engage these organizations to administer community-based services that meet the needs of low-income families, guiding them toward permanent economic security. This initiative aligns with the foundation's mission to improve economic security and well-being for low-income families and strategically utilize TANF funds. The four core purposes of TANF—providing assistance to needy families so children can be cared for in their own homes, reducing dependency on government benefits by promoting job preparation, work, and marriage, preventing and reducing out-of-wedlock pregnancies, and encouraging two-parent families—form the bedrock of this grant program. The target beneficiaries are low-income families in Tennessee who face challenges related to education, health and well-being, economic stability, and safe, stable, and nurturing relationships. The impact goals are to place these families on a path to permanent economic security and to foster a more strategic use of TANF funds to achieve the outlined purposes. The program seeks to reduce dependency on government benefits, improve family well-being, and ultimately build the economic, social, and developmental capital of those served. The program prioritizes partnerships with non-profit organizations that demonstrate an understanding of the challenges faced by low-income families and have a proven track record. Key focuses for partnership include organizations that have implemented or developed effective, community-based programs; demonstrated strong leadership and coordination of cross-sector partnerships; and shown a proven track record for providing services that help low-income families achieve economic mobility. Furthermore, organizations must have identified diverse resources, secured cross-sector partnerships, and developed a family-led approach aligned with one or more TANF purposes. Expected outcomes include a long-term positive impact on the community, with a clear articulation of return on investment and cost-benefit analysis to sustain service delivery. The Department also seeks partners committed to co-creating solutions to significant social problems with other stakeholders and customers, and those leveraging other public resources through innovative initiatives. The strategic priorities revolve around fostering economic security, reducing dependency, and strengthening families through evidence-based and evidence-informed program models, all while promoting a collaborative, community-led approach.

This program provides financial assistance to private landowners and organizations for planting new forests on non-forested lands of five acres or more in New York, helping to combat climate change and support local economies.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for projects that develop fast public electric vehicle charging stations in California, particularly benefiting underserved communities and promoting clean transportation.

This funding opportunity is designed to support initiatives that promote tourism and enhance infrastructure in Delaware County, aimed at increasing visitor numbers and spending.

This grant provides funding for research projects that enhance the health of the Lake Champlain Basin, focusing on climate change adaptation, water quality, and community resilience, and is open to universities, nonprofits, and businesses in Vermont and New York.

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) is launching the Clean Energy Primes Contractor Accelerator Program through this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). This program is designed to foster the development and growth of clean energy contractor businesses, directly aligning with the broader goals of the Energy Transition Act, also known as the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA). The program's mission is rooted in strengthening Illinois's clean energy sector by empowering small and emerging businesses to participate more fully in the clean energy economy, which is a key strategic priority for the state in transitioning towards a more sustainable and equitable energy future. The target beneficiaries of the program are clean energy contractor businesses, particularly focusing on those who can benefit from enhanced capacity building. The program aims to help these businesses grow their operations and secure opportunities within the clean energy market. Key impact goals include increasing the number of certified Minority Business Enterprises (MBE) and other relevant certified vendors, improving their ability to bid on state and private business opportunities, and connecting them with vital financial and programmatic support. The theory of change suggests that by providing targeted support to these contractors, the state can accelerate the adoption of clean energy and create a more inclusive and robust clean energy workforce. The program prioritizes several key areas to achieve its objectives. These include providing one-on-one business coaching tailored to participant needs, offering operational support grants for upfront project and pre-development costs (not exceeding $1,000,000 annually per grant), and delivering technical assistance and training. A significant focus is also placed on assisting businesses in developing comprehensive 5-year business strategies, facilitating connections to financial development assistance like zero-interest and low-interest loans from the Climate Bank, and integrating them into established programs such as the Illinois Power Agency’s Illinois Shines Program and Solar for All Programs. Expected outcomes and measurable results include participant contractors successfully applying for State and private business opportunities, achieving various certifications, and preparing competitive bids for Requests for Proposals. The program anticipates participants becoming listed in relevant directories and databases, actively connecting with and participating in state-sponsored clean energy initiatives, and accessing financial development assistance. Performance will be measured through metrics reviewed monthly during business coaching sessions, aimed at achieving specific growth goals. Ultimately, the program seeks to build the overall capacity of clean energy contractor businesses, contributing to job creation and economic development within the clean energy sector across Northern, Central, and Southern Illinois.

This program provides funding to Texas-based agricultural businesses for marketing and promotional efforts to boost the visibility and sales of Texas-grown and produced products.

The program prioritizes Projects that benefit vulnerable and LMI populations as well as those located inside the Most Impacted and Distressed area (MID) or documented to impact the MID. Per the grant requirements program funds must benefit the MID and 50 percent of the program funds are required to benefit LMI persons. Additionally, for CDBG-MIT funds to be used as the non-federal cost share local match, the Project must be a HUD eligible activity and must meet a HUD national objective, per CDBG-MIT rules and regulations. Similarly, the Project must fully comply with all applicable federal rules and regulations, to include Davis Bacon and related acts, Section 3, Section 504, procurement, environmental review, and all other CDBG-MIT, cross-cutting, state and local applicable statutes, rules, and regulations. Jurisdictions within the MID that do not meet the allocation requirements are still eligible to submit Projects towards a 20 percent set aside. Applicants will then be required to submit Project applications which will be reviewed against eligibility thresholds to ensure they meet program requirements. The following Jurisdictions will be eligible to apply towards the 20 percent set aside:o City of Agoura Hillso City of Andersono City of Calabasaso City of Chicoo City of Gridleyo City of Lakeporto City of Los Angeleso City of Orovilleo City of Shasta Lakeo City of Westlake Villageo Tribal Entities located within the MID  

Research and input from economic development experts indicate that there is a shortage of large sites that can be successfully developed in the desired 1-2year time frame. DCEO intends to offer incentives to encourage infrastructure investment in large industrial sites, in order to make such sites viable alternatives for large economic development projects. A grant provided through this opportunity will support site readiness planning activities and infrastructure investments needed to prepare industrial property to support investment to Winnebago County and new job opportunities in the industrial sector. Mandatory requirements: • Minimum developable acreage: 200 • Eligible entities: Government entity located in Winnebago County that has a documented agreement with a private entity that meets the following requirements: o Reflects that the applicant has authority to perform work on at least 200 contiguous acres of land in Winnebago County o Reflects that the private entity has an executed REV agreement o Reflects that the applicant intends to support the private entity's REV agreement through the project described in the applicant’s application • Current zoning: Industrial

This program provides $200 million in competitive funding to improve broadband access in underserved areas lacking reliable internet service of at least 25/3 Mbps.

The United States Department of Energy’s (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) program was originally created by the Federal Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 and expanded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). New funding wBIL as allocated to the program in 2021 under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) with the broad goals to reduce carbon emissions and energy use, improve energy efficiency, and increase community investment and local workforce development. IIJA funding made available in 2021 under the EECBG (2021 EECBG) allocated funds directly to state and certain local jurisdictions that met program criteria, with approximately $4.5 million allocated to the State. Of the funds allocated to the State, $4,070,070 are available for the LGBDC.

This grant provides financial support to small and emerging arts organizations in Washington State, particularly those serving historically underrepresented communities, to help cover operational costs and enhance their programming.

This program provides funding to prevent and reduce crime and enhance the criminal justice system through innovative approaches that accelerate justice by identifying, defining, and responding to emerging or chronic crime problems and systemic issues using innovative approaches. BJA is looking for proposed strategies to address these issues, including trying new approaches, addressing gaps in responses, building or translating& research knowledge, or building capacity. There are two categories of funding available. Category 1: State, local, tribal, or regional research partnerships and Category 2: National strategies.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to small advanced manufacturing companies in Oregon to help them meet federal compliance standards and improve their competitiveness for federal contracts.

The Economic Assistance Grant Program, managed by the Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity, aims to bolster Utah's economy by supporting businesses that promote and sustain economic growth. This program aligns with the state's mission to foster a robust economic environment by providing essential services related to industry, education, community development, and infrastructure. It serves as a vital tool in driving statewide prosperity, with a focus on creating opportunities and enhancing the overall economic landscape of Utah. The grant program targets for-profit and nonprofit entities with their principal place of business in Utah, provided they are registered and in good standing with the Utah Division of Corporations and Commercial Code. Government entities are explicitly excluded from eligibility. The primary impact goal is to develop and strengthen Utah's key economic sectors, ultimately leading to increased economic activity, job creation, and improved community resources across all counties in the state. Grant prioritization is centered on projects that contribute to Utah’s five targeted industries: Advanced Manufacturing, Aerospace & Defense, Financial Services, Life Sciences & Healthcare, and Software & IT. This strategic focus ensures that funding is directed towards sectors with high growth potential and significant economic impact. The program's theory of change posits that by investing in these specific industries and supporting eligible businesses, Utah can accelerate its economic development and maintain a competitive edge. The program offers tiered funding to accommodate businesses of varying sizes, with grant requests ranging from up to $50,000 for Tier 1, up to $100,000 for Tier 2, and up to a maximum of $200,000 for Tier 3. The overall grant size for the program is between $100,000 and $500,000, with a duration of 2 years, though individual projects are expected to be completed within 18 months from the award date. Expected outcomes include the successful completion of projects that significantly contribute to the targeted industries, measurable improvements in economic indicators within the state, and the sustained growth of businesses receiving the grants.