EmpowHer

The Local Small Business Expanded Repair/Restore Grant Program provides Portland small businesses with reimbursement grants of up to $25,000 to repair damage caused by break-ins and vandalism, install preventive security improvements, and offset rising insurance costs. Administered by Prosper Portland (the city's economic development agency) the program is designed to help affected businesses remain open and operational while contributing to a healthier street environment across the city. Eligible expenses include exterior repairs such as window and door replacement, graffiti removal, signage repair, gate repair, security system replacement, and exterior lighting; interior repairs (up to $2,500) such as door replacement, counter repair, and furniture/equipment replacement; security and prevention improvements such as cameras, alarm systems, scissor gates, overhead doors, and safes; and increases in business insurance premiums (up to $5,000). To qualify, businesses must hold a current City of Portland business license and Oregon state business registration, operate a customer-facing ground-floor small business or food cart within Portland, have 50 or fewer employees, and maintain consistent hours of operation. Property owners who do not operate the storefront business themselves, businesses in non-commercially-zoned spaces, landlords and property managers, and cannabis-specific businesses are not eligible. Ineligible expenses include inventory replacement, security personnel, mural repainting, lost sales or wages, and any damages already covered by a successful insurance claim. Grants are issued on a reimbursement basis for eligible repairs or improvements completed up to 90 days prior to the application date.

The City of Salem offers a matching grant program in the Fairview Urban Renewal Area (URA) to support businesses in constructing new buildings, adding to existing structures, or investing in permanent manufacturing equipment and related building improvements. This program is designed to encourage economic growth and enhance business operations within the district. By providing financial support, the program helps reduce the cost burden of construction and equipment investments, making it easier for businesses to grow. For property owners and business tenants, this program offers an opportunity to modernize facilities and improve productivity, benefiting both individual businesses and the community as a whole.

These program provides small, targeted grants to early-stage entrepreneurs who are ready to launch new businesses in Escalon. The intent is to support promising business concepts, encourage innovation, and help new ventures overcome the early financial barriers that often prevent start-ups from getting off the ground.

The Farmer Veteran Fellowship Fund provides U.S. military veterans in the beginning years of farming or ranching with small grants ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 to help launch and grow their agricultural businesses. Administered by the Farmer Veteran Coalition (FVC), a national nonprofit that supports veteran-owned farm and ranch businesses, the program has awarded nearly $4 million to more than 930 veterans since 2011. The program is powered in part by Wounded Warrior Project and receives additional support from Kubota (whose "Geared To Give" equipment program is integrated into the same application), the Tractor Supply Co. Foundation, Farm Credit, AgWest, and the SBA. Rather than disbursing cash directly to recipients, the Fellowship Fund pays approved third-party vendors on the recipient's behalf for specific items the veteran identifies as crucial to the launch of their farm business. Recipients have six months from award notification to use their grant. Common purchases funded through the program include all-terrain vehicles, beekeeping equipment, breeding livestock, bulk feed, fencing, storage freezers, tractor implements, walk-behind tractors, and scholarships. To qualify, applicants must be a member of the Farmer Veteran Coalition, have served or currently be serving in any branch of the United States military, have received an Honorable characterization of service upon discharge (other characterizations are considered on a case-by-case basis), operate an agricultural business with a formal business plan, and be willing to fully participate in the Fellowship Program (which includes periodic progress reports, mentoring other farmer veterans, and a commitment to making a positive impact on the farmer veteran community). Currently serving service members must provide a letter of support from their commanding officer attesting to their characterization of service. The Fellowship is designed to support for-profit agricultural businesses; nonprofit entities are not eligible. Previous Fellowship recipients may only reapply if they were previously awarded $1,000 or less. The application opens once per year and consists of short answer and essay questions across five focus areas: military service, educational background, prior farming experience, business and financial planning, and short-term and long-term goals. Applicants are evaluated on farm training and transferable skills, personal investment in their farm business, the strength of their funding request and demonstrated ability to grow the business through the award, vision and goals for the future, and community involvement.

Match on Main is a reimbursement grant program provided by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC). It supports new or expanding place-based businesses by offering up to $25,000 in funding through an application submitted, administered, and managed by the local unit of government, downtown development authority, or other downtown management or community development organization where the business is located.