Government Grants For Small Towns

Where To Find Business Grants

Below is a list of some of the most robust resources for finding grants that can aid your business:

• SBA.gov is one of the top places to search for grants. The government site is filled with various grant and financing opportunities.

• Grants.gov is the ultimate database for federal grants. You can search for grants by funding type, eligibility, category and agency. Be forewarned: Sorting through the database will require some effort, but the potential payoff is that you may find a grant opportunity that is perfect for your company.

• The Economic Development Administration administers grants for economically depressed communities to stimulate new jobs and commercial growth.

• Similarly, Small Business Development Centers offer local resources that can help your business.

In the wake of the coronavirus, there are resources, including federal and private funding sources, that are helping businesses cope with the drastic economic contraction that is affecting the world.

• Economic Injury Disaster Loans are administered by the SBA and can provide businesses with working capital to pay employees, rent and other expenses.
• In addition to government loans, companies like Verizon have created funds that provide grants to small businesses.

Governor Laura Kelly Announces Nearly $14 Million In Grants For Rural Kansas Communities

Governor Laura Kelly today announced 32 rural Kansas communities will receive grant awards to assist with community development projects. In all, these communities across Kansas will share a total of $13,864,149 in federal grants.

Through the Community Development Block Grant program facilitated by the Kansas Department of Commerce Community Development Division, these federal grants are being awarded for a variety of community improvement projects, including sewer and water projects, housing rehabilitation and community facility improvements.

The Community Development Block Grant program is a powerful tool for improving communities, revitalizing vital infrastructure, and maximizing economic opportunity, Governor Kelly said. Over the past several months, the pandemic has heightened the challenges our rural communities face when it comes to community development making assistance like this more important than ever. My administration is dedicated to doing all we can to continue addressing rural Kansans most pressing needs.

Counties, applicant cities and award amounts are as follows:

The CDBG program administered by the Kansas Department of Commerce provides federal funds to local governments for the development of viable communities by addressing their housing, public facilities and economic development needs. To be awarded funds, local government units must meet at least one of three program objectives:

About the Kansas Department of Commerce

Rural And Small Town Grants

Competitive grant program open to Rural and Small Town communities – towns with populations less than 7,000 or with a population density of less than 500 persons per square mile . Grants will fund infrastructure improvements and community planning needs in those eligible communities.

This program is part of the Community One Stop for Growth, a single application portal and collaborative review process of community and economic development grant programs that make targeted investments based on a Development Continuum. This process will streamline the experience for the applicant and better coordinate programs and staff on engagement and grant making. It will also reorient the State from a passive reviewer of funding requests to an active partner in economic development strategy, priorities, and investment. Access to this program is now exclusively available through the One Stop. Learn more about the One Stop.

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Sounds Good But Where Do We Begin

At GovGrantsHelp, weve developed an easy-to-follow process to get you up to speed on the basics of identifying, applying for, and securing local government grants.

This step-by-step guide will walk you through the sometimes tedious process of collecting the information critical to nearly all grant opportunities, regardless of their origin.

Following our step-by-step guide will put you on the right track to a successful local government grant application.

State Administered Community Development Block Grant Program

The Department of Housing and Urban Development sponsors the State Administered Community Development Block Grant program. Grants from this program are used to acquire real estate property for public use, demolish blighted structures and construct and renovate public service and recreational facilities and public and private buildings. Funds are also used to support economic development activities including assisting micro-enterprises. Grants are administered by states to cities and counties with less than 50,000 and 200,000 residents respectively. Up to 3 percent of the grant can be allocated to cover technical assistance and administrative expenses.

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development 451 7th Street SW Washington, DC 20410 202-708-1112 hud.gov

References

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Centers For Advanced Technology Grants In The Buffalo Niagara Region

These small business grants are given out in the Buffalo Niagara region of New York to businesses that partner with a college or university on a research and development project that helps commercialize a technology and bring it closer to market. There are multiple grants available across the state.

Community Development Block Grant Program

White River Planning and Development District has been heavily involved in the community development block grant application and administration process since its inception in 1975. CDBG funds come from the Department of Housing and Urban Development through the Arkansas Economic Development Commission . Water and wastewater CDBG funding is handled through the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission.

Eligible activities for CDBG funding include: water and wastewater projects, senior citizen center, public health facilities, community centers and fire protection improvements. Also, economic development activities such as loans to industry and infrastructure improvements are also eligible.

For more information on Arkansas’ CDBG program, visit the AEDC website at www.arkansasedc.com/grants or contact the District’s Community and Economic Development staff.

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National Historic Preservation Act And/or The National Environmental Policy Act Review

If you are recommended for a grant, your project may be subject to the National Historic Preservation Act and/or the National Environmental Policy Act and the National Endowment for the Arts will conduct a review of your project to ensure that it is in compliance with NHPA/NEPA.

Some of the common project types that garner a NHPA review are:

• A project involving or occurring near a district, site, building, landscape, structure or object that is at least 50 years old and therefore potentially eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places .
• The commissioning and installation of temporary or permanent outdoor furnishings such as benches or market structures or art such as a sculpture or mural.
• An outdoor arts festival.
• Design planning and services for projects that may involve a historic site, structure, or district.

This review and approval process may take up to several months to complete and may delay your project’s start date. The results of the review may impact our ability to make a grant award and/or our ability to release grant funds. If you are recommended for an award which may have historic preservation or environmental concerns , you will be notified and asked to provide additional information. Thorough and complete information for all project activities and locations will expedite the review. The Arts Endowment cannot release an award and/or grant funds until the NHPA/NEPA review is complete.

How To Get Rural Small Business Grants

Rural areas are still facing challenges from the Great Recession a sharp downturn in economic productivity that occurred between 2007 to 2009.

While all of America was affected by the recession, rural areas especially struggle to move at the same pace as urban areas. And as a result, these rural communities across the country are still struggling to recover their local markets and grow their small businesses.

Many small businesses need additional funding to boost profitability. Whether thats to obtain new equipment, personnel, real estate or seasonal inventory. Rural businesses face even more challenges in the entrepreneurial sphere of the market at large. This is why you can find rural development programs meant to benefit both new businesses and the community they serve.

In order to stimulate rural communities with new, stronger market development, their local businesses need to have the assets and manpower to grow. Thats why rural small business grants have become so important. They can provide those additional assets needed for communities to become more entrepreneur-friendly. The extra cash in turn encourages small business growth that creates more job opportunities and infuses the local community with a livelier market that can be competitive with urban businesses.

The question is, what qualifies a small rural business owner for a grant?

How does the government define rural communities to begin with?

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How To Apply For A Government Grant

Set aside ample time to read through posted funding opportunities to ensure you meet the long list of legal requirements. Applying for grants takes time and money, both of which are an infinite supply for most entrepreneurs. So ensure to read the fine prints to make sure its worth it.

Before applying for a government grant, you need to register as an individual or an organization. The registration process can take up to three weeks, so its best to keep track of grant deadlines in a single place.

Consider using an application that has built-in alerts to send you reminders. Otherwise, using a handy Excel spreadsheet or Google Sheets list can help you track deadlines and your progress in the application process for each applicable grant.

The actual process varies depending on the grant you are applying for, but generally, you will have to communicate your idea, write a proposal, and complete the application form.

Grant proposals will require several revisions and usually comprise of the following sections:

Ben Franklin Technology Partners

Ben Franklin Technology Partners has been investing in startups in central and northern Pennsylvania for more than 30 years. Tech startups can potentially receive up to four yearly infusions of cash totaling around $500,000. Small manufacturers may be eligible for a one-time investment of up to $250,000. To learn more about eligibility, check out their website.

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Chicago Small Business Improvement Fund

The SBIF supports small businesses repairing or remodeling their location, whether by updating windows and floors, replacing signage, or purchasing nearby property to expand into. Note that youâd receive this matching grant after completing and paying for your remodeling, so be cautiousâplenty of other businesses are likely competing for small business grants like these.

Rural Energy For America Program

This grant program, run by the Department of Agriculture, centers on small businesses in eligible rural areas looking to purchase, construct, or install renewable energy systems or energy efficiency improvement technologies. You can partner one of these federal business grants with a USDA loan guaranty as well, and together theyâll back up to 75% of your eligible project costs.

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Government Grants For Small Businesses

Government grants are a desirable source of funding for many small businesses. Well-known sources for government grants include agencies like Grants.gov, Challenge.gov, the U.S. Small Business Administration , and the U.S. Economic Development Administration , but small businesses should look to every tier of the government to find the best grant for their business.

If this is a funding option you are considering, check out these government grants for small businesses.

Develop Your Business With Small Business Funding

Small business loans/funding are our specialty. If you dont have the time to wait for the government to process a grant or you dont get a grant approval, you can look at the various funding options we have available.

Helping rural communities develop because of the business you bring is just one of the many benefits of the work we do.

Tryapplying today to see what we can do for you.

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What Do You Need To Apply For A Grant

Getting a grant isnt quite as straightforward as filling out an online application. In order to apply, you need to be pre-registered with the System for Award Management and have a Data Universal Number System number. While it doesnt cost money to make these registrations, it can take a significant amount of time for your information to be processed before you can apply for a grant. This is especially relevant across the states, where grant deadlines vary according to where you happen to be applying from.

Before you send in your application, youll also need to have important information ready to go. This includes:

• Evidence of the job creation which would happen if your business expanded,
• The percent of non-federal funding you have committed to your project,
• The economic need of your businesss area and
• Evidence of your experience working with similar small business building efforts.

Free Grants And Grant Scams

If you receive information stating you qualify for a “free grant,” it’s probably a scam. Get information from the Federal Trade Commission so you can better recognize and avoid grant scams. If you have been a victim of a grant scam, you can file a complaint with the FTC.

Contact your state consumer protection office if you have purchased a book or paid a fee to get grant information and are not satisfied.

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Public Safety Partnership And Community Policing Grants

The Department of Justice sponsors the Public Safety Partnership and Community Policing Grants program. Grants are awarded to state and local law enforcement agencies to implement programs assisting officers in preventing criminal and disorderly activities instead of reacting. This includes developing and supporting state-of-the-art training programs, and providing technical assistance to improve interaction and communication between law enforcement agencies and community members. These grants cover crime prevention initiatives, including equipment and technology purchases such as surveillance hardware, as part of community policing strategies.

Rural Development Grants At A Glance

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has a variety of programs and services expressly made to help develop rural communities. The type of funding here ranges widely, from helping prospective tenants find housing to funding water and waste disposal.

In terms of business, programs like the Business & Industry Loan Guarantee can help small businesses in a variety of ways, such as:

• Funding the expansion, modernization, repair or conversion of a business.
• Purchasing and developing land, easements and other buildings or facilities to grow a business.
• Purchasing equipment, rentals, machinery, supplies or inventory.
• Debt refinancing when it improves cash flow and allows a business to offer more jobs.
• Acquisitions of businesses and industrial providers for the purpose of creating or saving jobs.

While there are a number of restrictions for these programs , rural small business loans can offer those guaranteed loans you need to infuse your business with more profitability while providing more jobs to the local community.

The B& I loan program we mentioned above has flexible maximum loan terms and only a one-time guarantee fee in addition to an annual renewal fee.

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Missouri Entitlement Communities And Counties

Cities: Blue Springs, Columbia, Florissant, Independence, Jefferson City, Joplin, Kansas City, Springfield, St. Joseph, Lees Summit, St. Louis .

Counties:

Cities within a county can either participate with the County entitlement program or opt out. If they elect to participate in the County entitlement, they are ineligible for State CDBG.

Jefferson County and the cities within Jefferson County who have elected to participate in the County entitlement program

St. Charles County and the cities within St. Charles County who have elected to participate in the County entitlement program

St. Louis County, and the cities within St. Louis County who have elected to participate in the County entitlement program

Jack Daniels Pitch Distilled

Jack Daniels hosts an annual pitch competition with the goal of inspiring entrepreneurs to surface the next big idea. Small business startups can apply and if accepted, theyll pitch their ideas at the Pitch Distilled event to a group of business owners. The winner of this pitch contest will win a $5,000 prize, plus advice and guidance from the panel of judges to help make their idea a reality.

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Local Small Business Grants

In addition to statewide government grants, cities, towns, and nonprofits finance their own small business grant programs. Continuing the trend, these usually carry smaller payloads but less competition. For local small business grants, youâve got a substantial upper hand if you serve your community in a tangible and demonstrable way.

Plus, is your small business aimed at promoting health, environmental consciousness, or similar initiatives? If so, youâll be looking at even more local grants to apply forâand get funding for your eco-friendly business. Because local small business grants are so geographically specific, weâve pulled just a few to show you what kinds of opportunities may exist in your nearby city or town. Again, make sure to look for similar programs in your own locality.

What Is New Ruralism

New Ruralism is a concept that rural communities provide more than food for urbanized areas they provide small-scale, repeatable, models for planning and programs that focus on growth tied to community character and sustainability. In partnership with the Northern New England Chapter and the Divisions Council, STaR is working to bring these concepts to the national planning dialogue. Past work has highlighted job centers, community capacity building, renewable energy usage, and unique economic development strategies.

Read our report “Lessons in New Ruralism Fall 2020” to learn about some of the key ingredients of successful grassroots initiatives and lessons they shared with us.

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Outdoor Recreational Grant Program

The National Park Service sponsors the Outdoor Recreational Grant program. Grants are used to acquire land and plan and develop recreational areas such as playgrounds, tennis courts, outdoor swimming pools, hiking trails, picnic areas, campgrounds and boat-launching ramps. Funds are also used to build restrooms, water systems and other support facilities for the general public. States, cities, counties and park districts are eligible to apply for these grants.

Recreation Programs National Park Service Department of the Interior 1849 C Street NW Washington, DC 20240 202-354-6900 nps.gov