Denver Community STAND Grant

The Women’s Business Development Council is offering grants of up to $2,500 to qualified start-up businesses The WBDC Launch Pad Grant Program offers newly established businesses the opportunity to receive a $2,500 grant to put toward start-up costs. The grant funds cannot be used towards payroll/to pay yourself, real estate improvements (e.g. construction costs), reimbursement for past purchases or debt repayment.

Grants of up to $35,000 are available to small businesses in the manufacturing or skilled production industry for the express purpose of training incumbent workers as quickly and effectively as possible on new automation technology. The program is available to existing Minnesota Businesses located outside of the seven county metropolitan area OR located in the cities of Cannon Falls, Hanover, Rockford, Northfield, and New Prague that are investing in new automation technology at the project location. Training is for existing, full-time jobs paying at least 120% of federal poverty guidelines for a family or four. For 2025, this is $38,580 per year.

The Choose Iowa Grants exist to identify, evaluate and financially support programs and services that add value to agricultural products, enable new technologies and support alternative marketing strategies. These cost-share grants leverage additional private investment and were created to assist Iowa farmers, businesses and non-profits with their efforts to increase or diversify their agricultural product offerings, expand markets and shorten the supply chain. The grants work to expand access to Iowa-grown, Iowa-made, and Iowa-raised food, beverages, and other agricultural products. There are three main grant programs under this umbrella: -Value-Added Grant - Iincrease sales of Iowa agricultural products by increasing production capacity or expanding market access for value-added projects. Maximum awarded up to $25,000 per grant awardee. -Dairy Innovation Grant - Award financial assistance to eligible businesses engaged in projects to create or refurbish milk plants and other dairy processing units. -Butchery Innovation Grant - Financial support to purchase, rent, expand, or refurbish slaughter and refrigeration units for processing meat or poultry.

Aitkin County has two grant opportunities designed to support local businesses. The first opportunity is the Aitkin County Business Development & Recreation Grant Program, which supports projects that enhance tourism, recreation and small business development. Grants range from $100 to $2,000, with a required 1:1 local match and are available to businesses and nonprofit organizations located in or serving Aitkin County. Eligible projects include tourism and recreation events, business attraction efforts and initiatives that promote sustained visitor growth. The second opportunity, the Aitkin County Business Revitalization Grant Program, focuses on supporting for-profit businesses to improve the exterior appearance of their properties. Revitalization grants range from $1,000 to $5,000, also requiring a 1:1 match. Eligible improvements include exterior building upgrades, new or replacement signage and awnings and outdoor aesthetic enhancements. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until funds are depleted, with projects evaluated on creativity, visual impact and community benefit.

The Rhode Island Business Attraction Program serves as a strategic recruitment initiative aimed at life sciences companies exploring their first presence in Rhode Island. This highly competitive program is designed to attract out-of-state, international, and newly established companies that align with the Rhode Island Life Science Hub’s (RILSH) mission of fostering economic growth through the strategic expansion of this sector. By offering targeted support and resources, the program seeks to integrate high-potential companies into the state’s thriving life sciences ecosystem, fostering innovation, collaboration, and economic development. Through this initiative, Rhode Island strengthens its position as a premier hub for cutting-edge research, biotech advancements, and commercialization opportunities.