Enthuse Foundation Pitch Competition

New Mexico has one of the most generous training incentive programs in the country. The Job Training Incentive Program (JTIP) funds classroom and on-the-job training for newly created jobs in expanding or relocating businesses for up to 6 months. The program reimburses 50-90% of employee wages. Custom training at a New Mexico public educational institution may also be reimbursed. Businesses eligible for consideration include: -Companies that manufacture or produce a product in New Mexico -Non-retail service companies that export a substantial percentage of services out of state (50% or more of revenues and/or customer base). Software development companies, customer support centers and product testing laboratories are three examples of businesses that have qualified in this category -Certain green industries

This grant is designed to meet the needs of MAryland urban farmers by providing an incentive for beginning urban farmers to seek commercial lender financing for the development of their urban agricultural enterprises, including the purchase of a farm property in an eligible urban area. MARBIDCO has partnered with Horizon Farm Credit to establish and manage this fund.

New Jersey Re-assigning In State Employees (NJ RISE) is a new program to incentivize businesses to re-assign New Jersey residents who are working in another state to a New Jersey location. The $10 million NJ RISE Program will provide grants to companies to relocate its New Jersey-resident employees, ensuring a residents’ income taxes stay in New Jersey, which will help increase tax revenue. NJ RISE’s goal is to increase New Jersey’s Gross Income Tax Withholdings by encouraging eligible businesses to re-assign their out of state New Jersey resident employees to New Jersey by issuing an incentive based upon on the employee’s withholdings. The NJ RISE Program is a pilot program that will provide grants to businesses principally located out of state that re-assign New Jersey residents currently assigned to work in a state that employs the “convenience of employer” income taxation rule to work in a New Jersey location. The grant is equal to the amount of New Jersey Gross Income Tax withholdings of the re-assigned resident employees during one tax year of the business, not to exceed $500,000 in the aggregate per business. The sum of all grants approved will not exceed $10 million per State fiscal year. States such as Delaware, Nebraska, and New York use “convenience of employer” where an employee who resides out of state is taxed based on the employer’s assigned location. For example, if a New Jersey-resident works in a state with “convenience of employer” (State A) three days a week and from home the other two days, the employee will be taxed by State A for all five days, because the work done from home in New Jersey was at the convenience of the employer.

A matching grant program to support small, locally-owned, and operated businesses in the City of Virginia Beach. Façade improvement grants (FIG) are reimbursements for significant exterior improvements for small, locally owned, and operated businesses located in any commercial or industrial-zoned area within the City of Virginia Beach. Funding is not an entitlement and is available on a competitive, first-come, first-served basis until funds for the fiscal year are awarded. The program will match small business owners', or those who lease to small businesses, investments up to $10,000,for exterior building, site, and outdoor dining improvements. Grants are performance-based and will be authorized by VBDA after successful completion and evaluation of the improvements. Paid invoices and receipts must be submitted.

The Soddy-Daisy Business Façade Improvement Grant provides small businesses in Soddy-Daisy, Tennessee with 50/50 matching reimbursement grants of up to $10,000 per project to fund improvements to the appearance, accessibility, and functionality of commercial buildings. Administered by the City of Soddy-Daisy, the program is designed to attract customers and potential tenants, encourage reinvestment, and strengthen the city's commercial corridors. The city allocates $50,000 in total funding to the program each fiscal year, and projects are accepted and approved on a first-come, first-served basis until all available funds are allocated. Businesses may receive funding for one project per funding cycle, and applicants are typically notified of a funding decision within two weeks of submission. Eligible improvements include masonry work (such as exterior brick or wall repair), window and door repair or replacement, painting and siding, cornice repair or replacement, storefront enhancements, aesthetic detailing, new construction that expands an existing structure, new landscaping, outdoor seating areas, awnings and canopies, visible roof façade improvements, lighting enhancements, ADA accessibility improvements, architectural façade renovations and design fees, engineering and design services, access control and parking renovations tied to code compliance, and new signage. Interior-only renovations, general maintenance projects (such as HVAC, plumbing, electrical work, roof leaks, or rotten boards), routine landscaping maintenance, temporary signage, staff salaries, insurance-covered repairs, and work completed before grant approval are not eligible. To qualify, the property must be located within Soddy-Daisy city limits and zoned for commercial use, and both leased and owner-occupied businesses may apply (for leased businesses, the property owner must approve and sign the application and enter into the grant agreement directly with the City). Businesses and buildings must meet current building inspection and code compliance requirements at the time of application, all real property taxes must be paid in full, and the business must hold an active Soddy-Daisy business license. Industrial and residential properties, adult-oriented businesses, new construction on vacant lots, businesses operating from residential property, single business tenants within a multi-tenant building (with regard to façade work), and businesses or properties owned by City employees or officials are not eligible. Grants operate on a reimbursement basis: applicants must complete their approved project, pay all eligible costs, have the completed work reviewed and accepted by the City, and submit itemized receipts, canceled checks, and other required documentation before reimbursement is issued. Applicants must contribute an amount equal to the grant request (for example, a $10,000 grant request requires at least $10,000 in matching contribution for a total project cost of $20,000 or more), and volunteer labor and "sweat equity" cannot be counted toward the match.