North Carolina Workforce Development Grants

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 funding opportunity is designed to support nonprofit organizations and community-based entities in Fayetteville, North Carolina, that are working to reduce opioid overdoses and improve health outcomes through various evidence-based programs and services.

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 funding opportunity provides financial support to North Carolina-based agencies and organizations for various criminal justice initiatives, including law enforcement, prevention programs, and community engagement efforts.

This program provides funding to North Carolina local governments, community colleges, tribal governments, and state agencies to enhance their cybersecurity capabilities and resilience against cyber threats.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to public or nonprofit organizations in North Carolina to establish regional training centers that enhance breastfeeding support and education for low-income women, infants, and children across the state.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations and educational institutions in Greensboro and Guilford County to support projects that promote cultural vibrancy, economic mobility, and health and wellness for local communities.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to organizations in the Appalachian region for projects that promote economic diversification and workforce development in communities impacted by coal industry job losses.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to licensed dairy farms in the southeastern U.S. to improve their infrastructure and operational efficiency, enhancing profitability and sustainability in the dairy industry.

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 $1 million to nonprofit organizations in Eastern North Carolina focused on improving health, education, and economic development, with a special emphasis on programs benefiting youth.

This program provides funding to nonprofit organizations in Charlotte to enhance digital access and workforce development for residents impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and systemic barriers, focusing on underserved communities.

This program provides financial support to small business owners in Raleigh, North Carolina, for interior improvements to underutilized commercial properties, promoting local economic growth and job creation.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations that offer hands-on STEAM training and paid summer internships for teens aged 16-19 from low-income areas, in partnership with Best Buy Teen Tech Centers.

This grant provides funding to organizations in North Carolina to create or expand after-school and summer programs that offer academic support and enrichment activities for K-12 students, particularly those in high-poverty areas and low-performing schools.

This grant provides funding to North Carolina public schools to enhance digital learning through innovative teaching strategies and professional development.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations in the Triangle region of North Carolina that provide employment-focused education and skills training to adults while addressing barriers like housing, food insecurity, and transportation.

This initiative provides funding and resources to middle schools in rural North Carolina to improve educational outcomes through a structured school improvement framework focused on high-quality instruction and educator development.

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.

The Artist Support Grant, funded by Dare Arts in North Carolina, offers $500 to $1,000 to individual artists and small artist groups for professional development, completion of new work, career promotion, training, travel, and artist fees, with eligibility limited to residents of selected counties who are not full-time students or recipients of other FY 2024-2025 N.C. Arts Council funding.