If you’re looking to grow your small business in North Carolina, understanding the available grants is vital. Programs like the One NC Small Business Program and the State Trade Expansion Program provide essential funding opportunities tailored for various sectors. Each initiative has its own focus, from job creation to minority empowerment. You might be wondering which grants align with your business goals and how to effectively navigate the application process. Let’s investigate these options further.
Key Takeaways
- The One NC Small Business Program offers up to $12,000 in reimbursements for SBIR/STTR Phase I proposals to foster innovation in tech sectors.
- The Job Development Investment Grant provides cash incentives based on new job creation and requires meeting specific wage and job criteria.
- Grants from the MBDA support minority-owned businesses with financing access and strategies for sustainable growth in new markets.
- NC Workforce Grants enhance employee skills through Customized and On-the-Job Training, improving competitiveness for businesses in various industries.
- The State Trade Expansion Program assists small businesses with up to $12,000 in reimbursements for international trade expenses and marketing efforts.
One NC Small Business Program
The One NC Small Business Program is a strategic initiative designed to strengthen small businesses in North Carolina that operate within the technology, engineering, math, or science sectors.
This program supports small businesses through the SBIR/STTR Phase I Incentive Funds Program, offering up to $12,000 in reimbursements for Phase I proposals, encouraging research activities.
Additionally, the Matching Funds Program provides extra funding for businesses that have already secured federal SBIR/STTR awards.
Job Development Investment Grant
Job Development Investment Grants (JDIG) offer a valuable opportunity for businesses looking to expand or establish operations in North Carolina.
This performance-based incentive program provides cash grants based on personal income tax withholdings from new jobs created. To qualify, you must meet specific criteria, including the number of net new jobs and competitive wages compared to county averages.
JDIG targets industries aligned with North Carolina’s strategic sectors, promoting Economic Development. Grant recipients must demonstrate their commitment to job retention and project goals.
Grants Provided by the MBDA
As you investigate funding options for your minority-owned business in North Carolina, consider the grants offered by the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA).
These grants are designed to stimulate economic growth by empowering minority small businesses. They provide vital support services, helping you access financing and develop effective business strategies.
- Access new markets
- Overcome industry barriers
- Achieve sustainable growth
Stay updated by checking MBDA.gov for grant announcements and application guidelines.
NC Workforce Grants
For minority-owned businesses in North Carolina, NC Workforce Grants present a valuable opportunity to improve employee skills and propel growth.
These grants provide access to essential training resources, including Customized Training and On-the-Job Training, tailored to meet industry demands. Business owners can utilize these funding sources to augment their workforce capabilities, ensuring competitiveness in today’s job market.
Key programs, such as Incumbent Worker Training and GoldenLEAF, support diverse sectors, promoting stability and growth.
State Trade Expansion Program
While expanding your business internationally might seem intimidating, the State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) offers invaluable support to small businesses in North Carolina.
This program provides up to $12,000 in reimbursements for international trade expenses, including:
- Costs for export services and marketing media
- Booth fees for trade shows as co-exhibitors
- Funding to improve your market reach
| Alabama | Innovate Alabama, local recovery and Main Street grants for equipment, hiring, and expansion with rolling deadlines. |
| Alaska | Rural, tourism, and community funds. Strong picks for fisheries, artisans, and service firms needing startup or growth capital. |
| Arizona | State/city programs for innovation, workforce, export growth. Good for tech, retail, food, and manufacturing upgrades. |
| Arkansas | Seed and expansion grants, rural aid, and industry funds for manufacturers, agri-business, and local services. |
| California | Robust statewide/city grants for tech, clean energy, creative, and neighborhood retail. Mix of cash and technical help. |
| Colorado | Advanced industries, startup, and rural revitalization grants. Ideal for outdoor, tourism, and innovation-led firms. |
| Connecticut | Manufacturing, bioscience, and main-street awards. Matching grants for equipment, R&D, export, and upskilling. |
| Delaware | EDGE grants, site readiness, and community incentives focused on job creation and storefront improvements. |
| Florida | Tourism, disaster recovery, and minority-owned business grants. City programs fund façades and equipment purchases. |
| Georgia | State/local awards for manufacturing, film/creative, agribusiness, logistics—often paired with training and export aid. |
| Hawaii | Diversification, food/ag, and innovation grants. Helpful for island startups expanding products or e-commerce reach. |
| Idaho | Rural and manufacturing grants, innovation vouchers, and community funds for equipment and workforce needs. |
| Illinois | Neighborhood recovery, innovation, and tourism grants. Strong for storefront buildouts and job-creating expansions. |
| Indiana | Manufacturing readiness, R&D, and rural revitalization awards supporting tech adoption, hiring, and capital upgrades. |
| Iowa | Main Street, value-added ag, and innovation funds backing equipment, prototyping, and downtown improvements. |
| Kansas | Rural opportunity and entrepreneurship support. Useful for manufacturing, ag-processing, and scaling services. |
| Kentucky | Innovation, workforce, and site development grants. Incentives favor equipment upgrades, exporting, and new jobs. |
| Louisiana | Small Business Assistance, film/digital media, and disaster recovery grants for food, culture, and coastal firms. |
| Maine | Rural, marine, and outdoor sector grants plus innovation vouchers for producers, tourism operators, and makerspaces. |
| Maryland | Bio/tech, cyber, and manufacturing grants, plus neighborhood and façade funds for retail and food businesses. |
| Massachusetts | Life sciences, innovation, and strong main-street programs. Grants assist buildouts, R&D, and training reimbursements. |
| Michigan | Manufacturing, mobility, and community development grants for site work, tech adoption, and hiring plans. |
| Minnesota | DEED grants, innovation vouchers, and corridor revitalization for startups and shops upgrading equipment or space. |
| Mississippi | Site development, minority business, and rural aid targeting job growth, storefront work, and machinery costs. |
| Missouri | Community grants, innovation funds, and export support. Good for manufacturers, food producers, and retail growth. |
| Montana | Tourism and rural aid plus Big Sky economic grants. Helps with equipment, marketing, and seasonal hiring needs. |
| Nebraska | Prototype, microenterprise, and site grants for ag-tech, manufacturing, and main-street redevelopment projects. |
| Nevada | Tourism, tech, and retail grants with workforce ties. Local programs fund façades, equipment, and energy upgrades. |
| New Hampshire | Manufacturing and innovation awards plus downtown grants for prototyping, expansion, and job-training offsets. |
| New Jersey | NJEDA grants, capital improvements, and main-street funds prioritizing buildouts, hiring, and recovery needs. |
| New Mexico | Rural, film/creative, and tech-transfer grants. Helps with equipment, space buildouts, and commercialization steps. |
| New York | State/city grants for manufacturing, arts, and neighborhood retail—support for rent buildouts, equipment, and hiring. |
| North Dakota | Energy, ag-processing, and rural grants covering equipment, site prep, and early-stage commercialization work. |
| Ohio | Manufacturing, minority business, and research grants. Community programs support façades and downtown revitalization. |
| Oklahoma | Rural and innovation grants focused on energy, aerospace, and ag. Great for equipment and job-creation incentives. |
| Oregon | Business Oregon grants for manufacturing, cleantech, and community commerce—buildouts and sustainable upgrades. |
| Pennsylvania | Innovation, manufacturing, and Main Street grants supporting equipment, site work, and job-creating projects. |
| Rhode Island | Commerce RI grants for storefronts, tourism, and innovation. Useful for retail, makers, and food businesses expanding. |
| South Carolina | Manufacturing, rural, and tourism grants funding machinery, workforce training, and corridor revitalization projects. |
| South Dakota | Rural development and value-added ag grants plus community funds for equipment, marketing, and expansion plans. |
| Tennessee | Innovation, site readiness, and main-street programs for manufacturers, food producers, and retail buildouts. |
| Texas | State/city grants for manufacturing, tech, and creative firms—often tied to job creation and capital investment. |
| Utah | Rural co-op, innovation, and tourism grants backing equipment, hiring, and export-readiness for growing companies. |
| Vermont | Community and working-lands grants for makers, farms, and tourism—funds for buildouts, machinery, and markets. |
| Virginia | Manufacturing, tech, and downtown revitalization grants assisting site work, equipment, and training offsets. |
| Washington | Innovation, clean tech, and small-town commerce grants supporting buildouts, energy upgrades, and export efforts. |
| West Virginia | Rural and corridor redevelopment grants with manufacturing focus for equipment, property rehab, and hiring plans. |
| Wisconsin | WEDC grants for manufacturing, startups, and main-street projects—storefronts, machinery, and workforce training. |
| Wyoming | Innovation and tourism grants plus rural aid for equipment, site improvements, and early-stage commercialization. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the $7,000 Grant Money?
The $7,000 grant offers essential funding for eligible businesses, covering startup costs and operational expenses. To apply, check the requirements and process, learn from success stories, and follow tips for maximizing your chances.
What Kind of Grants Are Available in North Carolina?
In North Carolina, vibrant funding opportunities await you, like blooming flowers in spring. Grants span from $12,000 for tech proposals to $50K for startups. Understand grant eligibility, navigate the application process, and harness local resources for impactful business development.
Conclusion
In North Carolina, small business grants pave the path to prosperity, powering potential and promoting progress. By tapping into resources like the One NC Small Business Program and the State Trade Expansion Program, you can access opportunities that enhance your enterprise. Embracing these funds not only fuels your growth but also fosters a flourishing economy. So, seize the chance to secure support and set your business on a trajectory toward success in this vibrant, competitive landscape.