Small Business Grants Blog

Connecticut Receives Funding to Support Local Arts-Related Entrepreneurs

noreply@blogger.com (Dante Lee) — Wed, 22 May 2013 00:00:00 +0000

The state of Connecticut recently received the second largest grant in the country which it will use to support local artists. The $500,000 grant came from ArtPlace America, an organization that consists of 13 leading national and regional foundations and six of the nation’s largest banks. The grant was given to support Connecticut's CreateHereNow project.

CreateHereNow is a state project that will begin in July 2013 and continue through 2014. It operates through the Department of Economic and Community Development's (DECD) Office of the Arts. ArtPlace America supports programs in art and culture that transforms communities. The DECD will use the grant money to provide financial assistance to artists, crafters and arts-related entrepreneurs who want to starts small businesses in vacant storefronts.

The CreateHereNow project will give free rent for three months to qualified applicants, $500 in start-up funds, and free workshops designed for small businesses. Examples of some of the businesses who have received help include original works of art, handmade jewelry, weaving, screen printing, and other art-related businesses.

Five new businesses have already open as a result of the program. Other interested small businesses may apply online.

For more information, visit www.createherenow.org/

Rochester NY Offers Grants to High Tech Businesses

noreply@blogger.com (Dante Lee) — Sun, 19 May 2013 00:45:00 +0000

The city of Rochester, New York, supports local businesses by offering grants up to $30,000 and low-interest loans up to $250,000. The financial assistance is offered to grow more businesses in the downtown area as well as businesses in the high technology and industrial fields. All programs are offered through the Rochester Department of Neighborhood and Business Development.

For businesses moving into or re-locating to Rochester, the city has a Building Renovation Matching Grant Program that offers 50/50 matching grants of up to $30,000. The grant money can be used for interior and exterior building improvements as well as improvements to security systems.

The Pre-Development Matching Grant Program offers matching grants up to $25,000 for businesses engaged in developing industrial and commercial projects. The money may be used for building and environmental studies as part of the pre-building planning process.

For businesses locating in downtown Rochester, the Main Street Assistance Program provides 50/50 matching grants up to $30,000 and low-interest loans up to $250,000. The money can be used for acquiring business property and property improvements both interior and exterior, fixtures and furniture, and working capital.

Small businesses moving into Rochester should look into the Targeted Business Assistance Program. This program has 50/50 matching grants up to $10,000 and low-interest loans up to $150,000. Funds may be used by small businesses to buy equipment, fixtures, furniture, and necessary renovations, among other costs.

These programs and more are available to businesses who meet the qualifications and whose projects will result in either job retention or increasing jobs in Rochester.

For more information, visit www.cityofrochester.gov/article.aspx?id=8589935982

Small Businesses in Austin, TX May Soon Get Needed Tax Relief

noreply@blogger.com (Dante Lee) — Fri, 17 May 2013 00:42:00 +0000

It's called House Bill 500, and it has already been approved by the House. If the Senate also approves the bill, it would result in $667 million in tax relief to small businesses in Austin, Texas.

House Bill 500 will permanently exempt businesses with gross revenues of $1 million or less from paying the margin tax. Marginal tax rates are tax rates set for income brackets. As income gets higher and moves into another bracket, the marginal tax rate will increase. What House Bill 500 will do is exempt businesses from having to pay the marginal rate, applying a standard deduction that will save them money. The purpose is to grow small business and create more jobs.

The bill will also change how the tax is applied to specific industries, including businesses engaged in rental, auto repair, transportation, real estate and medicine. The deduction is set to expire next year unless it is renewed through House Bill 500.

The deduction has played a significant role in Texas creating more jobs than any other state in 2010.
If House Bill 500 passes, tax relief will help Austin small business owners to the tune of $667 million over the next two years.

Small Business Plan Competition Offering $5,000 Grant

noreply@blogger.com (Dante Lee) — Mon, 13 May 2013 04:02:00 +0000

The City of Binghamton, New York, for the fifth consecutive year, is offering a $5,000 grant for the best business plan as part of the city's annual Business Plan Competition. Sixty businesses are competing for the prize this year.

The business plan competition encourages ideas for new, viable business recommendations. Not only will the winner receive a $5,000 grant but also free professional services and free advertising.

Among all applicants, ten finalists are chosen. Ideas have ranged from food businesses, health-related services, to technology providers and housing locators. The contest is sponsored by the Binghamton Local Development Corporation and funded through its Urban Development Action Grant fund. All finalists will be required to prepare and present their plans to a panel of judges that includes bankers, business coaches and small business owners.

Binghamton is located in the southern part of New York State where many recognizable high technology companies are located, such as Lockheed Martin, IBM and BAE Systems.

For more information, visit www.binghamton-ny.gov/finalists-announced-bldceap-business-plan-competition

Grants Program Targets Agriculture Businesses

noreply@blogger.com (Dante Lee) — Fri, 10 May 2013 01:18:00 +0000

It's called the Value-Added Producer Grants (VAPG) program and its objective is to help small and mid-size family farmers and ranchers with $16.8 million in grants. Over 110 agriculture businesses in 43 states will benefit. The program is offered through the United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development.

The program helps agriculture producers transition to more value-added methods of producing agriculture products. The goal of the program is to generate more bio-based new products that will increase market opportunities and income for agriculture producers. The eligible products are agriculture food products for human consumption.

Grants can be up to $100,000 for planning grants and $300,000 for working capital grants. New agriculture producers are encouraged to apply. Planning grants can be used for feasibility studies, business plans and marketing proposals. Working capital grants can be used for marketing and advertising expenses, and some inventory and salary expenses.

Interested applicants should contact their USDA Rural Development State Office for information on the next round of grant funding for the VAPG program.

For more information, visit www.rurdev.usda.gov/BCP_VAPG.html

Vermont Small Business Owners Receive Grants From the Working Lands Enterprise Initiative

noreply@blogger.com (Dante Lee) — Fri, 03 May 2013 22:40:00 +0000

The Working Lands Enterprise Initiative is a program sponsored by the Working Lands Enterprise Board in the state of Vermont. The initiative is focused on investing $1 into Vermont agricultural and forest based businesses.

The board was established in 2012 to oversee the program which awards grants and loans to small businesses that add value to farm and forest commodities. In the first round of grants, 20 businesses out of 191 applications received grants ranging from $3,000 to $15,000. The companies represented industries including forestry, forest products, dairy, meat, berries, tree fruit, tree farms, maple, produce, honey, fish, horses, renewable energy, compost specialty foods, fiber, hops, land and soil testing and drainage.

The purpose of the grants is to provide a deep investment by the state to support the agriculture and food business in Vermont. When small businesses receiving grant money also leverage their own funds, it helps small business grow, strengthens the state economy and helps farmers and those who work the woodlands thrive. Its keeps business and money in the state.

Last year, the state budgeted $1 for the initiative. This year, the budget is expected to include between $1 million and $1.5 million for the fund.

For more information, visit http://vtworkinglands.org/programs/policy-councils/working-landscape/wleb

North Carolina Businesses Rewarded With Recycling Business Development Grants

noreply@blogger.com (Dante Lee) — Thu, 02 May 2013 00:51:00 +0000

Forty-three companies in North Carolina received Recycling Business Development grants ranging from $5,000 to $40,000 from the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources. The purpose of the grants is to reduce landfill disposal and create more jobs.

Projects funded by the grants included recycling of construction and demolition materials, recycling mattresses, and diverting food waste. Each company not only reduced waste but also created a total of 240 new jobs. A total of $1.1 million in grants was awarded.

Businesses receiving the grants were required to match 50 percent of the grant award. The grants were provided by the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources with funding from a percentage of the taxes on solid waste disposal, new refrigerators, washers and driers, tires and other sources of taxes.

Any business actively engaged in collecting and recycling materials are eligible for funding. The grant money can be used for investments in equipment and buildings necessary for increase company recycling projects.

For more information, visit http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/deao/2013-rbac-grant-winners

South Carolina Grant Program Lends a Helping Hand To Rural Small Businesses

noreply@blogger.com (Dante Lee) — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 22:46:00 +0000

Entrepreneurs in poor areas of South Carolina who want to start their own business but need a little help with start-up costs can turn to New America Corp., a nonprofit organization formed two years ago to help small businesses in Orangeburg County. It's more than a grant; it's a program to help entrepreneurs help themselves.

By utilizing the company's Business Individual Development Account, small business owners can open up a savings account for their business. After six months, the account can begin receiving $3 for every dollar saved, up to $1,000 in savings. So, a small business owner can receive $3,000 for their $1,000 in savings.

Grant recipients are required to participate in personal finance and business training sessions that will help them develop their business plan. The grant money can be used for expenses to help start or expand a business. The grants are offered by New America Corp. and the South Carolina Association of Community Development Corporations.

New America Corporation is a nonprofit organization that specializes in finding funding for affordable housing, collegiate housing, and education for rural and underserved communities. According to South Carolina Association of Community Development Corporations, since 2001 when the grant program began, $750,000 in grant money has been awarded, resulting in generating almost $11.5 million within the economic community.

For more information, visit www.communitydevelopmentsc.org/cdc-center/

22 Small Businesses in Indianapolis Receive Improvement Grants

noreply@blogger.com (Dante Lee) — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 23:23:00 +0000

The city of Indianapolis has a program called Fostering Commercial Urban Strategies (FOCUS) whose goal is to revitalize neighborhood business districts. As an incentive to small businesses located in designated areas of the city, the program offers grants up to $20,000 for facade improvement.

The grant money can be used for store front renovations, paint, window replacement, awnings, signage, and any other improvements to the outside of the building that will improve the neighborhood. The goal is to improve the qualify of life for neighborhood residents and improve the growth of small neighborhood businesses.

The program began in 2001 and is supported by the Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce, the City of Indianapolis, Indianapolis Downtown, Inc., and State Farm. The purpose of the program is to create walkable commercial districts in downtown Indianapolis neighborhoods. Business owners are eligible to receive grants for up to half the total cost of the work. They are also eligible for free architectural consultation for store project design and implementation.

Small business owners are encouraged to check the city's web site for more information on funding opportunities and deadlines.

For more information, visit www.focusindy.com/

Philadelphia Foundation Committed to Helping Local Merchants with Grants

noreply@blogger.com (Dante Lee) — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 21:33:00 +0000

The Merchants Fund is a non-profit organization that was founded in 1854 to support local merchants in Philadelphia. Five percent of its annual assets are distributed in the form of grants to help small local businesses who are facing financial hardship.

The grant awards are called Stabilization Grants. Small enterprises who have been in business at least three years may apply for grants up to $10,000. The business owner must be the sole proprietor of a business that represents their sole source of income. Small businesses who apply must be established businesses who are stable but have been hit hard by the economy and need financial assistance to get back on their feet.

Businesses must be located in Philadelphia. The grant money can be used for purposes that include but are not limited to computer systems and technology, equipment and materials, building improvements, marketing, signage, and other business-related needs. In addition to the grants, the organization also offers Business Matching Loan Grants between $1,000 and $20,000.

The grants are competitive and grant applications are generally submitted in February. The organization is located in Philadelphia and provides other services to Philadelphia area merchants, including free consulting services, business consulting services for minority entrepreneurs, and resources for immigrant owned businesses.

For more information, visit www.merchantsfund.org/grant-areas.html

Bank Gives Grants to Businesses in California and the Pacific Northwest

noreply@blogger.com (Dante Lee) — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 02:01:00 +0000

The Union Bank Foundation, a non-profit corporation of Union Bank, supports businesses in their communities with grants for businesses whose purpose is to help to create and sustain healthy communities. The grants serve the interests of affordable housing, community economic development, education, and environment.

Non-profit organizations whose business meets needs in these areas may be eligible for grants ranging from $25,000 to $100,100. The purpose of the grants is to support services that benefit low- to moderate-income populations in California and the Pacific Northwest. Eligible businesses must be located in these areas and be not-for profit.

The grants include services that provide home ownership counseling or foreclosure prevention education; small businesses in distressed, rural and low- to moderate-income communities that provide job training, internships and financial education; organizations that offer scholarships for youth from low- and moderate-income families; and companies that focus on green initiatives.

Small businesses whose focus matches the foundation's grantmaking categories and receive grant money will continue to receive grant funding for three years, provided their performance continues to meet the qualifications.

For more information, visit www.unionbank.com/global/about/corporate-social-responsibility/foundation/foundation-grants.jsp#products-tab-item-2

Starting a Business in Cleveland Could Earn You a $25,000 Grant

noreply@blogger.com (Dante Lee) — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 23:04:00 +0000

Entrepreneurs who like the advantages of being in a quiet, historic neighborhood, but still close to all the amenities and customers from the city might want to consider Old Brooklyn as a possibility. The Community Development Corporation from this quaint and historic 200-year-old community of about 43,000 has announced a grant competition for new, relocating, or expanding businesses in Cleveland's Old Brooklyn neighborhood.

The grant competition is a joint collaboration between the Old Brooklyn Community Development Corporation and the City of Cleveland. It's purpose is to bring new life into the Old Brooklyn business community. The preferred eligible businesses include professional services, arts and design, but any business is eligible to apply for the grant.

Businesses must be located in Old Brooklyn and remain there for at least one year. The owner of the business must be actively present full-time at the business location. The grant money can be used to pay for inventory, renovation costs or other expenses needed to open or expand the business.

The deadline for applications is May 6 and winners will be announced in June.

For more information, visit http://oldbrooklynconnected.com/25000-business-plan-competition/

Small Businesses in Historic Williamsburg Receive Grants

noreply@blogger.com (Dante Lee) — Sun, 07 Apr 2013 19:40:00 +0000

Williamsburg, Virginia is an old, historic town dating back to 1632. It's home to the College of William and Mary, the second oldest higher education institution in the U.S. Along with Williamsburg is nearby Jamestown and Yorktown, making all three part of what is known as the Historic Triangle which attracts more than four million tourists a year.

The York County Economic Development Authority is offering grants of $4,500 to local small businesses as part of their Economic Gardening grant program. The program is designed to help companies extend their markets and bring more jobs and tax revenue to the area. Eligible businesses must have revenue between $1 million and $50 million a year to apply for the grant.

Eligible small businesses must be for-profit enterprises who have been in business in the area for two years, employing between 10 - 99 people. They must be businesses that have shown growth in the past 2 out of 5 years. The concept of the program is to help small businesses identify new markets, research competitors, learn about trends in the industry and locate more customers.

The program is hosted by the Edward Lowe Foundation in Michigan who help entrepreneurs grow their businesses. The York County Economic Development Authority is responsible for supporting local businesses and attracting new business to York County.

For more information, visit http://innovatehamptonroads.com/component/content/article/93

CDBG Can Be A Good Source for Small Business Grants

noreply@blogger.com (Dante Lee) — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 01:18:00 +0000

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has a program called the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program. The program provides funds to states who in turn offer grants within their communities to address community development needs. CDBG grants help create jobs through the expansion and retention of businesses, and also funds projects that ensure affordable housing.

The program began in 1974 and is one of HUD's oldest programs. Currently, 1209 states and local governments receive federal funding for this program. Programs that benefit from the grants must benefit the community, particularly low- and moderate-income residents. Some of the money is used by state and local governments to help with demolition of abandoned houses or refurbishing neighborhoods, to help people buy their first home, and to help small business owners start or expand their businesses.

Each state and local government decides how the money is to be allocated. Small business owners who are looking for grant funds may contact their local government to find out what the criteria is for small businesses to receive grant money. Many cities are focusing on downtown revitalization and offering grants for small businesses who are interested in being located in the downtown area. This small business focus would fit into the purpose of the CDBG program to improve neighborhoods, create jobs and expand business.

HUD also has a portal that provides a state-by-state search of contacts for inquiring about the CDBG program in each state.

For more information, visit http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/program_offices/comm_planning/communitydevelopment/programs/contacts

Canadian Government Funding Programs Continue to Support Small Business

noreply@blogger.com (Dante Lee) — Sat, 30 Mar 2013 20:21:00 +0000

Small- to medium-size enterprises (SME's) in Canada will be happy to know that the 2013 government budget has not forgotten them. In fact, SME's will be a focus for them during the next year. Their Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP), through the National Research Council of Canada, is designed to provide Small Business Funding Grants for Research & Development and Technical Projects.

The Accelerated Review Process (ARP) offers grants up to $50,000 to small businesses engaged in innovative research or technology solutions in manufacturing, software development, product development and commercialization. Grants will fund up to 80 percent of labor costs and 50 percent of sub-contractor costs.

The Digital Technology Adoption Pilot Program (DTAPP) provides grants to small businesses of up to $100,000 for projects that increase productivity through the use of digital technology. The grants of $100,000 includes up to 80 percent of labor and 75 percent of sub-contractor labor.

Larger research and development projects are eligible for the Mid-sized Project Grants. These grants are a good fit for small businesses engaged in larger projects such as creating original new software, developing new products, or working on other forms of research and development projects.

The Youth Employment Program (YEP) Grants for Hiring covers 50 percent up to $15,000 for hiring youth age 15-30 for the first 12 months only. Hires cannot be just anyone but those who contribute toward the company's technology and become an important member of the team.

For more information, visit www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/eng/irap/services/index.html

Leadership Grants Help Small American Business Grow

noreply@blogger.com (Dante Lee) — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 01:35:00 +0000

Small business owners and entrepreneurs who want to start or grow a small business should consider looking at The Leadership Grants Organization for assistance. This national organization awards grants every year to entrepreneurs ranging from work-at-home projects to multi-location businesses.

Grants are based on the company's plan for ongoing self-sufficiency and future success. The grant money helps small business owners either get started or grow their businesses. Grant money can be used for legitimate business costs such as inventory, equipment, goods, services, training and professional services.

Each grant request should be submitted with a well-organized and professional business plan. Applications are judged by a panel of volunteer experienced business leaders and entrepreneurs. There are no application fees required to submit a proposal. Businesses must be prepared to start their business within 6 months and require funding of $1,000 to $100,000. They must be for-profit businesses. The grants are open to both U.S. and Canadian citizens.

The Leadership Grants Organization is funded by donations from business leaders, sponsors and private corporations. They have offices in Morristown, New Jersey, and Toronto, Canada.

For more information, visit www.leadershipgrants.com/smallbusiness/grants_programs.jsp

New Online Service Helps Connect Grant Seekers With Grant Makers

noreply@blogger.com (Dante Lee) — Sat, 23 Mar 2013 00:59:00 +0000

A new web site called GrantWatch makes it much simpler for small businesses seeking grant money to find sources for grants. The web site allows organizations and governments who offer grants to post their grants on the site, along with a list of eligibility requirements. Grant seekers can then review the postings to see which grants might be a good match.

Only legitimate grants are posted on the site. The grant givers describe the nature of the grants, deadlines, requirements, and contact information so businesses can quickly identify foundations for which they are best suited and apply. Small businesses can search by any number of criteria, such as location, categories, and deadlines.

Additional services on the new web site include a Grant Writer Team program, which matches experienced professional grant writers with grant seekers. The program is easy to use and quickly connects grant givers to small businesses looking for funding. GrantWatch.com is the only website that provides a comprehensive listing of current grants from governments, foundations and other sources for small businesses and other organizations looking for financial support.

GrantWatch Founder and CEO, Libby Hikind, states, "With so many grants available, it was time to streamline the grants posting process."

For more information, visit www.GrantWatch.com

$60 Million Increase in Connecticut's Small Business Express Program Good News for Small Businesses

noreply@blogger.com (Dante Lee) — Sun, 17 Mar 2013 23:16:00 +0000

The Small Business Express program was created in 2011 to help small businesses in Connecticut thrive and grow. Small businesses with fewer than 100 employees are able to receive help from this program in the form of grants and forgivable loans. With the recent passage of Senate Bill 801, the budget for this program increased from $100 million to $160 million--great news for local small businesses.

The increase was the result of Senate Bill 801 that allowed the state of Connecticut to transfer funds from the Manufacturing Assistance Act program to the Express program. This means more money is available to support small business. The reason for the transfer of funds was to provide further assistance in sustaining Connecticut’s small companies.

Small business owners must be in business for at least a year and have 100 employees or less in order to apply for grants and forgivable loans. The grants can be anywhere from $10,000 to $300,000 and can be used for equipment and machinery, building new or improving existing facilities, or providing needed working capital.

The Express program is administered by Connecticut's Department of Economic and Community Development. Since it began, it has been extremely successful in helping small businesses and creating more jobs. The increase in funding is expected to extend opportunities for even more small businesses, resulting in greater economic growth for Connecticut.

For more information, visit www.ct.gov/ecd/cwp/view.asp?a=3931&q=489792

Northern Colorado Small Businesses Offered $5,000 Energy Grants

noreply@blogger.com (Dante Lee) — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 00:03:00 +0000

Small business owners located in Fort Collins, upper northern Colorado, are being offered energy grants up to $5,000 by Fort Collins Utilities. Working with the Platte River Power Authority, the city department is offering the grants, along with rebates, to encourage small businesses to participate in energy and water conservation.

The grants are up to $5,000 per business and can be used for improvement projects in lighting, cooling, building upgrades, and improvements to refrigeration, restrooms, laundry and more. Small businesses or non-profits may apply. They must occupy less than 50,000 square feet of business space.

Grant and rebates are limited to up to 75 percent of project costs. Rebates include $25 for an Energy Star dishwasher, and $50 for an Energy Star, high-efficiency washer. Businesses may apply for the grants and rebates until December 1, 2013.

Fort Collins Utilities is a provider of residential and commercial utilities for residents of Fort Collins, Colorado. Their focus is to protect and preserve the environment in Northern Colorado for current and future residents. They offer incentives for consumers and businesses who are environmentally responsible as well as offering many tips on their web site to help residents conserve both water and energy.

The Platte River Power Authority generates electricity for Northern Colorado residents and businesses.

For more information, visit www.fcgov.com/utilities/business/conserve/rebates-incentives/small-business-grant/

AEDA Seeking Applications for Denver Area Small Business Grant Program

noreply@blogger.com (Dante Lee) — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 02:29:00 +0000

The Arvada Economic Development Association (AEDA) is taking applications for small business owners interested in improving their commercial properties. The grant offers a 50/50 matching grant up to $15,000.

The grant money can be used for improving the outside of the building, including facade, landscaping and signage. It can also be used for repairing roofs, replacing asphalt and painting. Businesses must be located within the Arvada city limits and be zoned commercial or industrial. Application deadline is April 15.

The Arvada Economic Development Association is responsible for supporting local business and increasing commercial, transportation, and economic development. Arvada is located just west of Denver. It has a population of about 106,000 and is often called the Celery Capital of the World.

The Arvada Small Business Grant program was established in 2011. This year's program has a budget of $100,000. Since its beginning, 24 projects have received matching grants from AEDA totalling over two million dollars in total project investment. The grants have resulted in an increase in business of 63 percent.

For more information, visit http://arvadaeconomicdevelopment.org/resources/financial-assistance/

"Tools to Grow" Program Offering Small Business Grants in 24 Massachusetts Cities

noreply@blogger.com (Dante Lee) — Sun, 03 Mar 2013 16:39:00 +0000

"Tools to Grow" is a new program developed by the Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation. It takes a different approach, similar to venture capitalists, in offering both grants and technical assistance to small businesses. As with venture capitalists, they go beyond the money in ensuring that small businesses will become successful. They are offering this program to small business owners throughout 24 cities in Massachusetts.

The program offers grants up to $7,500 to cover half the cost of consulting fees, and business loans up to $250,000. Any technical consulting in general can run anywhere from $100 to $700 per hour, depending on the size of the consulting team, so this is a huge benefit for small businesses. Loans tailored for each business are also offered.

Small businesses must have annual revenues of $100,000 to be eligible for the grants. Another tier in the grant program is open to larger businesses with sales above $1 million that includes matching grants up to $25,000 and customized loans up to $1 million.

The grant program is offered by Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation which was created by the Governor of Massachusetts in 2010 to help small businesses create jobs and encourage growth of small businesses, women and minority owned businesses. The primary goal is to promote economic development in low and moderate income communities

For more information, visit www.massgcc.com

Technology Grants Available to Small Business in Canada

noreply@blogger.com (Dante Lee) — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 23:59:00 +0000

Small manufacturing businesses in Canada may be eligible for any one of four grants being offered through Canadian government funding programs. The grants are designed to help Small and Medium size Enterprise (SME) manufacturing businesses with financial support for software and other technology support needed to increase productivity in their companies.

The IRAP Accelerated Review Process (ARP) is a $50,000 grant for small companies who do on-site research and development. Eligible projects must be related to implementing an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) business system. This could include software for accounting or Customer Relationship Management. The grant will pay 80 percent of direct labor costs and 50 percent of subcontractor fees up to $50,000.

The IRAP Digital Technology Adoption Pilot Program (DTAPP) is a $100,000 grant for companies wanting to update their technology to increase efficiency. This grant pays 80 percent of direct labor and 75 percent of costs for subcontractors who work on projects that upgrade or install new ERP systems.

The Graduate Enterprise Internship (GEI) grant is a $15,000 grant for small manufacturing companies who hire recent college graduates. Graduates must have completed studies in science, technology, engineering or math. The grant is intended to cover the wages of new college graduates hired up to $10,000 for an undergraduate degree and $15,000 for a graduate degree, including both Masters and Ph.D., for a period of six months.

The Yves Landry AIME Initiative is a $50,000 grant that covers training programs included in implementing an ERP system and all training costs involved.

Funding for the grants is provided from the government of Canada through a program called Prosperity Initiative. The program was created by the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario to stimulate a more productive, diversified and competitive economy in Southern Ontario.

For more information, visit www.feddevontario.gc.ca/eic/site/723.nsf/eng/h_00398.html

Got Energy? You May Qualify for a Small Business Grant

noreply@blogger.com (Dante Lee) — Sun, 24 Feb 2013 00:00:00 +0000

The U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy has announced grants for small businesses who create ideas that could save energy costs in the U.S. The grants total $10.5 million.

Seventy small businesses will receive grant awards in Phase I of the program. The projects need to focus on ways to commercialize technologies that will save energy in innovative ways. It could include finding clean energy sources to implement in manufacturing, making buildings more energy efficient and generating other sources for electricity that are renewable.

High on the list are ideas to construct more energy-efficient buildings, reducing reliance on foreign oil, and developing solar cells. Some of the companies awarded grants have developed solar water heaters, energy-efficient insulation materials for buildings and homes, software that optimizes the use of energy, smart window coatings, and solar panels.

The DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy is responsible for developing energy efficient and renewable sources of energy in transportation, homes and buildings, and manufacturing to ensure sustainable supplies of energy for the future.

For more information, visit http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/news/progress_alerts.cfm/pa_id=843

Florida Software Company Targets Small Manufacturing Businesses for Grant Awards

noreply@blogger.com (Dante Lee) — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 06:05:00 +0000

BobCAD-CAM is a CAD/CAM software producer in Clearwater, Florida, that serves small CNC machining businesses. The company has just launched a new grant program for small machining operations that have lost business to overseas competition. The grant program is called the Participation Grant Program.

Small machining businesses include companies that use Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machines to make industrial parts automatically without human assistance. They can include milling machines, lathes and grinders. The grant competition is designed to help these companies strengthen their business to compete against foreign competition.

BobCAD-CAM Participation Grants cover 50 percent of costs for programs designed to make companies more competitive. The grant money is applied toward small business costs for consultants, engineers and other professional service provider fees. In addition, the grant provides grant recipients with market research, product development, employee training, and other resources important to small manufacturing businesses.

BobCAD-CAM was established in 1985 in Clearwater, Florida, serving manufacturing companies with CAD-CAM software. Their business serves global companies in the automotive, woodworking, aerospace, tool and die, defense and military, medical, sporting good and numerous other industries.

For more information, visit www.bobcad.com/about/grant-program

Portland Development Commission Offers $10,000 Grants to Startups

noreply@blogger.com (Dante Lee) — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 23:16:00 +0000

Up to six small business startups in Portland, Oregon will receive grants of $10,000 each. The campaign. called The Startup PDX:Challenge, is being offered through the Portland Development Commission (PDC). Winners must be willing to locate to business offices in the Produce Row area, the Central Eastside Industrial District.

In addition to the grant money, winners will receive free office space rent for one year, and free legal, accounting and HR services donated by local professional organizations that include law firms, accountants and human resource companies.
PDC is announcing the grant program to develop the Produce Row area, now an industrial area, into a center for high technology. To encourage more small businesses to consider the location for their startups, the PDC has budgeted another $80,000 for renovations to office buildings and spaces.

Applications are being accepted now through April 4. Grant winners will be announced in May. The grants offer the city an opportunity to increase startups in the city, particularly small technology companies that are mainly located downtown.

For more information, visit www.producerowpdx.com/grow/startup-pdx-challenge/