Giving Joy

The West Chester Spark Small Business Revitalization Grant provides small businesses in West Chester Township, Ohio with reimbursement grants ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 to fund aesthetic exterior improvements that beautify the "front door" of their business. Administered by the West Chester Township Board of Trustees through the Economic Development Manager, the program is designed to drive revitalization in the township's neighborhoods and business corridors by helping business owners invest in improvements that enhance the appearance of their properties. Eligible projects include exterior painting or lighting, outdoor gathering spaces (patios, seating, courtyards), hardscaping, landscaping, signage upgrades or replacements, awnings, and demolition of existing structures. Projects that have already been permitted, completed, or are underway are not eligible. To qualify, applicants must be a locally owned private business (no nonprofits or private residences), be located in West Chester Township, be either the property owner or a tenant (with written approval from the property owner), be in compliance with all federal, state, and local laws, and have 20 or fewer full-time-equivalent employees. Businesses are limited to one Spark Grant per calendar year and no more than four Spark Grants over the lifetime of the business, with the award amount reduced by 25 percent for each consecutive-year renewal. Grant amounts are determined by the strength of each application, with scoring based on the quality of the design proposal, project location, job creation and impact, the positive impact of the project on the surrounding neighborhood, and the amount of private contribution the applicant will leverage beyond the requested funds. Grants are distributed as reimbursements via ACH after project completion, and are considered taxable income for the recipient.

The Virginia Jobs Investment Program (VJIP) is a discretionary incentive that provides funding and services to qualifying companies to support new job creation or upskilling in conjunction with new or expanding operations. The cash grant and accompanying services are intended to offset a company’s recruitment and training costs. The funding for each net new, full-time job created or full-time employee retrained is based on a customized budget determined by an assessment of the company’s recruiting and training activities, as well as the project’s expected benefit to the Commonwealth. The final budget and proposal are approved in advance of the project by the Secretary of Commerce and Trade. VJIP support is typically for a 36-month period. Companies can be reimbursed 90 days after the new employee is hired (for new jobs programs) or after the retraining activity is complete (for retraining programs).

The Restaurant Business Development Program is designed to support restaurant owners like you by offering comprehensive business development assistance valued at $15,000. This program ensures your business is financially sustainable, operationally sound, and advancing towards your next culinary endeavor. Cohorts will receive six months of intentional consultations followed up with educational training service, continuous training and services, extend to support you with procedures that will help you process and maintain your business.

The city of Sacramento is offering business consulting and matching grant funds for local companies in an effort to build the region’s economy. Participants receive executive-level market intelligence and growth strategy consulting culminating in eligibility for a matching reimbursement grant of up to $50,000 to support growth strategy implementation. To qualify for the program, companies need to be a for-profit business in the city of Sacramento, employ five to 99 employees and generate $1 million to $50 million in annual revenue.

The Business Stabilization Fund for French Quarter Businesses provides financial assistance grants of up to $2,500 (for businesses with fewer than 8 employees) or up to $5,000 (for businesses with 8 or more employees) to small businesses in New Orleans' lower French Quarter that have experienced demonstrable revenue losses due to prolonged infrastructure construction. Administered by the Greater New Orleans Foundation through its 501(c)(3) subsidiary the New Orleans Community Support Foundation, with support and assistance from the City of New Orleans, the pilot program is designed to stabilize the French Quarter's commercial corridors during a period of major infrastructure improvement, maintain sales tax revenue from threatened businesses, protect jobs at impacted businesses, and prevent urban decay along construction-disrupted blocks. Eligibility is geographically limited to active, public-facing businesses fronting the 900, 1000, 1100, 1200, and 1300 blocks of Decatur Street or the 600 block of St. Peter Street. To qualify, applicants must have continuously owned and operated a business at a qualifying address since January 1, 2025, demonstrate a revenue decrease reasonably attributed to the construction project, be registered and in good standing with the Louisiana Secretary of State, hold an active City of New Orleans Occupational License, and have sales tax remittance equal to or exceeding the assistance amount requested. Businesses that consist entirely or primarily of property ownership, management, or rent collection within the project boundaries are not eligible, as the program is focused on supporting active, public-facing businesses rather than commercial landlords. Nonprofits without commercial activity that generates sales tax for the City of New Orleans, corporate-owned franchises, and businesses owned by employees (or immediate family of employees) of the City of New Orleans or the French Quarter Management District are also ineligible. Final award amounts may be lower than the maximums depending on funding availability and the total number of eligible applicants.