Elevate Vermont – Matching Grant

The Downtown Building Rehabilitation (DBR) Grant provides business owners, Tribal governments, and nonprofits with reimbursement grants of up to $50,000 (or one-third of total project cost, whichever is lower) to finance code-compliant construction and remodeling projects on downtown commercial buildings. Funded by Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation (IRRR), Minnesota's economic development agency for the Iron Range region, and administered through a partnership with the Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency (AEOA), the program is available to businesses located within IRRR's northeastern Minnesota service area. Eligible buildings must be located on a main street in a downtown area, though applications from other locations in commercial business corridors may be reviewed on a case-by-case basis if additional funds are available. Eligible costs must relate to code compliance and can include general construction, electrical, plumbing, elevator, ADA, mechanical, and sprinkler work, housing rehabilitation, lead and asbestos removal, storefront improvements, and new construction or remodeling in the event of fire or natural disaster. Up to 10 percent of the grant may be used for professional services such as architectural, engineering, or design assistance on code compliance issues. Applications are accepted year-round and reviewed twice per year. A $500 AEOA application fee is required at the initial inspection and processed at project closing. Work cannot begin prior to approval and site inspection, and grant payments are made directly to the awarded contractor or vendor upon completion and final inspection. Applicants are limited to one project per year (additional projects considered case-by-case) and must have property taxes paid and up to date, along with verification from the Minnesota Secretary of State that the organization and any contractors are active and in good standing. Prevailing wage must be paid and certified payroll collected.

Property owners in the Uptown Area of Kenosha can apply for the new Uptown Area Facade Grant and the Uptown Area Business Recruitment and Retention Grant, two initiatives designed to revitalize the corridor and encourage continued investment in the neighborhood. The facade grant program will provide up to $10,000 in reimbursable funding for exterior building improvements. The grants will cover up to 50 percent of eligible project costs and can be used for upgrades such as new windows and doors, awnings, signage, lighting, landscaping, fencing, siding, masonry work, and architectural services. The Redevelopment Authority of the City of Kenosha has allocated $50,000 for the program. A second program, the Uptown Area Business Recruitment and Retention Grant, will offer up to $5,000 in reimbursable funding to support operational improvements for businesses in the area. The grant will cover up to 75 percent of eligible costs and may be used for purchases such as new inventory, equipment, marketing efforts, or technology upgrades intended to improve the customer experience.

The Enterprise Growth Grants pilot will make up to $35,000 available to for-profit local small businesses, with individual awards expected to range from $1,000 to $25,000. Funding is intended to support projects tied to the economic vitality of Chaffee County (jobs, services, etc.) that are facing financial barriers to growth. An ideal grantee is one who is operating a thriving small, local business that has an opportunity for significant growth in services.

The Denver Business Impact Opportunity (BIO) Fund provides Denver small businesses with grants of up to $15,000 plus technical assistance to help them remain operational during disruption from specified city-funded construction projects. Administered by Denver Economic Development & Opportunity (DEDO), the program offers both direct grant funding and one-on-one business support to help impacted businesses navigate revenue loss, supply chain disruptions, and other operational challenges caused by major infrastructure work in their corridor. The BIO Fund is geographically targeted, with each funding round focused on businesses located within specific construction-impacted areas of the city (recent rounds have supported businesses along the East Colfax Bus Rapid Transit and West Colfax Pedestrian Crossing & Transit Improvements project corridors). Eligibility criteria typically include operating a brick-and-mortar small business within the designated impact zone, demonstrating revenue loss or operational impacts tied to the construction work, and meeting standard licensing and tax compliance requirements. The program is one of only a handful of municipal initiatives nationwide that provides direct grant assistance to businesses affected by city-funded construction.

Workforce+ is a Performance Grant option that allows TVA to make an investment in competitive economic development projects focused on building a highly skilled and qualified workforce. Award amounts are paid directly to the company and are contingent on companies meeting the minimum requirements of the Performance Grant Program. Funding amounts are based upon approval of the company’s talent pipeline development plan.