Small Business Grants in Key 14 States of the US

Small businesses are essential for the American economy and play a critical role in job creation, innovation, and overall economic growth. As per Hostinger, small businesses created 12.9 million new jobs in the last 25 years. However, starting or expanding your small business often requires financial resources that may be challenging. This is where small business grants come into play! 

Generally, a small business grant is a type of funding various organizations provide. These include government agencies, private foundations, and corporations to assist small businesses in achieving their goals. 

Unlike loans – you don’t need to repay a grant-making them an attractive option for entrepreneurs seeking financial assistance. You can use the grant money to cover startup costs, fund marketing campaigns, or expand operations. While availability and eligibility vary by location, all states in the U.S. offer grants. This article will guide you about many small business grants offered in various American states and how they benefit you. 

California Small Business Grants 

California offers a range of small business grants to support entrepreneurs and foster economic growth. Let’s discuss some of them: 

California Paid Family Leave Program Grant

The California PFLG provides financial support to small businesses, offering paid family leave benefits to their employees. This grant has two types – small businesses with 1 to 50 employees get $1000 per employee, and businesses with 51 to 100 employees receive $2000 per employee. The Paid Family Leave Grant covers around 60% to 70% of the employee’s wages and pays up to 8 weeks of benefits, along with a 12-week job-protected leave.

SoGal Black Founder Startup Grant

The SoGal Black Founder Startup Grant is another one of the California small business grants for 2022 and is specifically designed to empower and support Black women entrepreneurs in California. The grant money ranges from $5000 to $10,000, depending upon the needs and future goals of the company. The major purpose of this grant is to empower black women and help them grow their startups without any hassle.

Nav’s Small Business Grant

Nav’s Small Business Grant is a general small business grant program that assists California-based businesses in various industries. As a business owner, you must share a post or make a video discussing your difficulties when starting the business. You should mention how the grant can help you overcome all the challenges. Upload that post or video, and if you pass the voting and final selection stage, you’ll get a grant of up to $10,000.

Ohio Small Business Grants 

Some of the common small business grants Ohio are:

Columbus-Franklin County Small Business Recovery Fund

This is among the top Ohio Small business grants and was established to support small businesses in Columbus and Franklin County that were adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The program provided grants ranging from $5000 to $20,000 to eligible small businesses. However, to avail of this grant, businesses should have proof sharing they lost around 25% during the pandemic. It’s also important to prove that your business started operation before March 2020. 

Workplace Wellness Grant Program

This grant program helps Ohio small businesses implement workplace wellness programs to create a healthy employee environment. It was started by the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation. Eligible businesses can get up to $15,000 in grant funding, helping them in the development and implementation of wellness initiatives. 

Women Owned Businesses Amber Grant 

The Amber Grant is a national grant program that supports women-owned businesses. While it is not specific to Ohio, women-owned companies based in Ohio can apply for this grant. The Amber Grant is awarded every month, with a $10,000 grant awarded to one recipient.

Michigan Small Business Grants 

Now let’s discuss a few of the popular small business grants Michigan:

Michigan Community Revitalization Program (MCRP)

The MCRP is administered by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC). The program aims to support activities such as downtown redevelopment, historic preservation, and mixed-use development. Small businesses can get an incentive amount of less than or more than 1,000,000 through this program. 

Comcast Rise Program

The Comcast Rise Program is a national initiative that provides grants, marketing, and technology support to small businesses owned by underrepresented groups, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities. The program aims to keep small businesses afloat during the COVID-19 pandemic. Small businesses that win this grant will get $5000 in monetary assistance and other guidance related to the business. 

Moving Flint Forward

Moving Flint Forward is a grant program established through the collaborative efforts of General Motors and the Flint & Genesee Economic Alliance. It covers up to $10,000, intending to foster economic growth and generate more employment opportunities in the region. To be eligible, businesses should have 20 or fewer employees. In addition, they should not be franchise-based or previous recipients of Moving Flint Forward grants. 

Florida Small Business Grants 

Florida offers various small business grants or grants to empower startups to achieve their goals. Here are some of these small business grants Florida:

Mom & Pop Small Business Grant 

Mom & Pop SBG is a local initiative in Florida to provide financial assistance to small, family-owned businesses. Money from this grant can be used for various purposes, such as purchasing equipment, inventory, marketing, etc. The specific grant amounts and eligibility criteria can vary for each district. For instance, district 5 applicants can apply for up to $5000 in grant money. 

Florida High Tech Corridor Grant

The Florida High Tech Corridor Grant promotes innovation and technology-driven businesses within the designated Florida High Tech Corridor region. This corridor spans 23 counties in Central Florida, from the Tampa Bay area to the Space Coast. It’s among the top small business grants Florida and allows you to apply for up to $150,000. Funding is for activities like technology commercialization, university-industry collaborations, workforce development, and entrepreneurship support.

USDA Rural Business Development Grant

The USDA Rural Business Development Grant is aimed at supporting small businesses located in rural areas of Florida. This program provides money to help these rural towns prosper economically. The grant money ranges from $10,000 to $50,000 and can be invested for various purposes. These consist of the implementation of cutting-edge technologies, corporate growth, and infrastructural development. 

Illinois Small Business Grants

The notable small business grants Illinois are:

Neighborhood Opportunity Fund

The Neighborhood Opportunity Fund is a grant program administered by the City of Chicago. It offers financial help to small enterprises and encourages their growth and expansion in Chicago’s deserving neighborhoods. There are two funding choices available to you: $250,000 for small projects and more than $250,000 for large projects. 

City of Urbana Business Grants

CUB grants support small businesses in the City of Urbana, located in central Illinois. For the purpose of growing their current business or starting a new one, companies can get grants ranging from $1000 to $2000 right away. You can then spend this money on inventory, remodeling buildings, etc. The business needs to have all the legal documents and attend meetings for business counseling. 

Back to Business Grant

The Back to Business Grant program is an initiative launched by the State of Illinois to support small businesses hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. It provides financial assistance to businesses in various sectors, including restaurants, bars, barbershops, salons, and more. The grants range from $5000 to $150,000 and are intended to help cover operating costs, payroll, rent, and other essential expenses.

Pennsylvania Small Business Grants

The Pennsylvania First Program (PA First), the Alternative and Clean Energy Program (ACE), and the High-Performance Building Program (HPB) are all small business grants Pennsylvania. Here is some information about each program:

Alternative and Clean Energy Program (ACE)

The goal of ACE is to promote the creation and application of clean and renewable energy technology in Pennsylvania. It lends significant financial assistance to companies and groups engaged in the total production, distribution, and use of alternative and renewable energy sources. Pennsylvania’s small businesses can expect a monetary fund of $2 million or 30% of the total project cost through the ACE grant and become power efficient. 

Pennsylvania First Program (PA First)

The Pennsylvania First Program is an economic development initiative that provides small business loans and grants. Its purpose is to attract and retain investment in Pennsylvania by assisting eligible businesses with funding for various purposes. These vary from job creation and building acquisition to machinery and equipment purchases and workforce training. The maximum funding doesn’t exceed $5000 for each project and job created or retained. 

High-Performance Building Program (HPB)

This HPB grant aims to promote the building of or retrofitting of structures with sustainable and energy-efficient components. The program provides loans and grants to enterprises, hospitals, educational institutions, local governments, and other organizations engaged in construction projects. For small businesses, the grant money is around $500,000 or 10% of the total building renovation or construction costs.

Texas Small Business Grants 

Here’s some information about the small business grant programs available in Texas:

Texas Enterprise Fund

The TEF is a grant program started by the Governor’s Economic Development and Tourism Office and provides monetary incentives to small businesses that are thinking about starting or expanding business in Texas. But there are some conditions! To be eligible, the small business must create at least 75 full-time jobs in metropolitan areas or 25 full-time jobs in rural areas. You might anticipate funding ranging from $75,000 to $40 million through TEF. 

Texas Workforce Commission Skills for Small Business program

The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) started this Skills for Small Business program. Its goal is to help small businesses in Texas train new and existing employees. This grant assists businesses with fewer than 100 employees. It helps cover employee training, including tuition fees, curriculum development, and related training expenses. Moreover, you can use this program to boost workforce skills and improve the competitiveness of the small business. The funding you may get is around $1800 per new employee and $900 per existing employee. 

Alamo Small Business Grant Program 

If you are a small business in Alamo, Texas, the Alamo grant aims to support your growth and development. The grant money is around $2500, and you can use it for various purposes – business expansion, renovation, marketing initiatives, and workforce development.

Virginia Small Business Grants

Following are some of the grants that aid small businesses in Virginia:

Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program

The SBIR program is a US federal grant that provides funding to small businesses taking part in research and development with the potential for commercialization. The program offers various federal agencies grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements. The total funding available for SBIR grants is approximately $2.5 billion.

Virginia Small Business Financing Authority (VSBFA) Programs

The VSBFA offers several financing programs to support small businesses in Virginia. One of their programs includes providing loan guarantees to lenders, where the maximum guarantee is the lesser of 70% of the credit amount or around $750,000. This program helps small businesses secure loans by reducing credit risks.

Virginia Jobs Investment Program (VJIP)

VJIP is among the state-level small business grants Virginia that appreciate the workforce development or job creation efforts of businesses. The program provides financial support varying from $500 to $1,000 for each qualifying job created or retrained in Virginia. 

As a small business owner, you can utilize this amount to cover costs associated with employment creation, like hiring, training, etc. 

Indiana Small Business Grants

Listed below are some of the best small business grants Indiana:

Coronavirus Aid Package ( Cares Act)

The CARES Act is a federal relief package passed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This grant offers around $150 billion in funds to offer loans to help small businesses retain their employees and manage other expenses. Over 70% of small businesses in Indiana have availed of this loan. If you cannot repay the loan, you can request the authorities for loan forgiveness. 

Rapid Response Loan

Rapid Response Loans offer financial aid to small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic in Indiana. The platform provides loans ranging from $10,000 to $25,000, and all eligible small enterprises can apply for emergency assistance based on their business size and turnover. 

New York Small Business Grants

New York State offers a range of grant programs designed to support businesses and economic growth within the state. Here are some small business grants NY:

Global NY State Trade Expansion Program (STEP)

The STEP grant program is designed to support businesses expanding their international trade activities. Through STEP, businesses can receive grants of up to $6,000 to offset the costs associated with different tasks. These are trade show participation, trade missions, market research, export training, and website localization. This STEP funding is instrumental in helping businesses establish a presence in new markets. You can also use it to build strong business relationships with potential customers and partners abroad and navigate the complexities of international trade. 

New York Foundation Grant

The New York Foundation Grant is a program aimed at supporting established businesses and emerging groups in New York State. It provides grants of up to $47,500 annually for established businesses, with a maximum duration of three years. For emerging groups, the grant can be extended for up to five years, offering sustained support during the critical early stages of development. The New York Foundation Grant is designed to foster entrepreneurship, innovation, and job creation within the state.

Tourism Return-to-Work Program

It revitalizes the tourism sector, which has been significantly impacted by the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The program provides a $5,000 grant for each new full-time job and $2500 for every part-time job created within the tourism industry. Businesses can use these funds to cover recruitment and training costs and other expenses associated with bringing new employees on board.

NJ Small Business Grants

Now we are going to discuss some popular small business grants New Jersey:

Skip Monthly Business Grant

The Skip Monthly Business Grant program has been providing $1,000 awards to small company owners in New Jersey since March 2020. This grant aims to alleviate some of the financial burdens small businesses face, particularly during challenging times such as the COVID-19 pandemic. The grant winner is announced on the Skip YouTube channel every month. 

Small Business Lease Grant

The Small Business Lease Grant is a significant initiative in New Jersey, with a total fund allocation of $10 million. This grant program explicitly targets small businesses that are leasing commercial space. The objective of the grant is to provide financial assistance to eligible businesses by covering a portion of their lease expenses.

Small Business Improvement Grant

The Small Business Improvement Grant in New Jersey is a highly beneficial program designed to allocate $15 million to finance small businesses. This grant focuses on helping small business owners enhance their establishments through physical improvements, renovations, or upgrades. The funds are used for various purposes, including infrastructure enhancements, interior renovations, etc. You can also spend them on technology upgrades or other improvements to enhance the business’s overall operations and customer experience.

Georgia Small Business Grants 

Now let’s move to the various small business grants Georgia that empower startups:

Early Stage Innovation Fund

The Early Stage Innovation Fund grant aims to provide financial support to early-stage innovative businesses in Georgia. It aims to encourage the growth of startups and small businesses by offering matching capital. The fund has a total value of $1 billion and aims to stimulate entrepreneurship and economic growth in the state. 

Georgia-Pacific Foundation Grants

The Georgia-Pacific Foundation offers grants to support community development, education, and entrepreneurship in Georgia. Remember, the primary focus of these grants is not solely on small businesses. However, they provide funding opportunities for entrepreneurs working on projects aligned with the foundation’s mission. The grants can support various initiatives, such as workforce development, job creation, and economic empowerment. To get this grant, your business should be within 30 miles of the Georgian-Pacific manufacturing community. 

Massachusetts Small Business Grants

Small businesses in Massachusetts have access to various grants and resources state organizations provide to boost small business sales and development. Here are some small business grants in Massachusettes:

Massachusetts Export Center (MEC)

The Massachusetts Export Center provides grants to eligible businesses to support their international trade and export activities. These grants can reimburse costs associated with pre-approved projects, activities, or services undertaken during a specific period. Eligible businesses can apply for grants ranging from a minimum of $6,000 to a maximum amount of $15,000 per business. The grants aim to assist companies in expanding their reach in global markets, increasing export sales, and accessing international trade opportunities.

Massachusetts Small Business Development Center (MSBDC)

The Massachusetts Small Business Development Center offers various resources and services to support small businesses throughout the state. This includes business counseling, assistance with business plans, market research, financial analysis, and access to training programs. While the MSBDC does not directly provide grants, they help connect businesses with various funding opportunities. These can be government agencies, private organizations, and other financial institutions.

Massachusetts Small Business Growth Fund

The Massachusetts Small Business Growth Fund offers growth capital investments to qualifying small businesses. Through this program, businesses can access funding ranging from $50,000 to a maximum of $250,000. The Growth Fund aims to provide flexible repayment terms and support businesses in expanding their operations, developing new products, entering new markets, or scaling their existing operations. 

Utah Small Business Grants

Here are three notable small business grants Utah that will help you take your business toward success and mitigate risks:

Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED) Custom Fit Training Program

The Utah GOED Custom Fit Training Program is designed to enhance the competitiveness of Utah businesses by providing customized training and assistance. The program grants eligible small businesses to support workforce development and training initiatives. These grants can be used to enhance employee skills, improve productivity, and drive innovation within the organization. 

Utah Technology Commercialization and Innovation Program (TCIP)

The Utah TCIP grant program aims to promote technology development and commercialization. It funds first-time grant awardees, offering up to $100,000 to support research, development, and commercialization efforts. In addition, companies that have previously received TCIP funding may qualify for grants of up to $200,000.

Utah Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Financing Assistance

The Utah SBDC offers financing assistance to small businesses seeking capital to start or expand their operations. The SBDC collaborates with financial institutions and other partners to provide access to various financing options, lines of credit, and grants. Through personalized counseling and guidance, the SBDC helps small business owners navigate the funding landscape and secure the financial resources they need to thrive.

Conclusion

The US small business grants offer undeniable benefits and play a crucial role in fostering entrepreneurial growth and economic prosperity. These grants provide you with essential financial support, enabling your small businesses to overcome initial hurdles, expand their operations, and create employment opportunities. Moreover, grants often come with additional non-financial resources. These can be mentorship, networking opportunities, and specialized training, which further enhance the chances of success for aspiring entrepreneurs!