MD Economic Development Opportunities Program Fund (Sunny Day)

North Carolina’s Customized Training Program is the state’s premier workforce development initiative, helping businesses build and sustain a highly skilled, competitive workforce. The program, now branded as NCEdge, offers businesses workforce development strategies that align with a company’s unique needs and goals. NCEdge supports new, expanding, and existing businesses, providing flexible, up-to-date training solutions valid for up to three years. The cost of the training is covered by the state of North Carolina through the North Carolina Community College System. With 58 community colleges across North Carolina, NCEdge ensures businesses in all 100 counties have access to high-quality training resources.

The Going PRO Talent Fund (Talent Fund) makes awards to Michigan employers to assist in training, developing and retaining current and newly hired employees. Training funded by the Talent Fund must be short-term and fill a demonstrated talent need experienced by the employer. Training must lead to a credential for a skill that is transferable and recognized by industry.

The Harford County Workforce Technical Training Grant (WFTTG) provides Harford County, Maryland small businesses with reimbursement grants that cover up to 50 percent of eligible training costs, with awards of up to $2,000 per employee per round and $10,000 per business per fiscal year. Administered by the Harford County Department of Community and Economic Development, the program is a competitive matching investment grant designed to help local employers become more productive and competitive by accelerating the delivery of technical training to existing full-time, permanent employees. The grant supports intermediate and advanced technical training that leads to industry-recognized certifications and credentials, helping businesses invest in employee growth while building a stronger local workforce. Eligible uses of funds include approved external or internal technical training programs and qualifying apprenticeship programs. Recent recipients have used grant funds to support electrical training, HVAC training, welding qualifications, advanced computer training, and project management training. Over the past 10 years, Harford County's Department of Community and Economic Development has awarded more than $500,000 in training grants to small businesses across a range of industries. Eligible applicants must be a small business with a physical location in Harford County. Employees to be trained must work in Harford County, be full-time, and earn at least 150 percent of Maryland's minimum wage. The program offers two rounds of competitive funding each fiscal year, with applications reviewed by county staff and awards issued as reimbursements after the training is completed and paid for by the business. Training funded through each round must be completed during that same round's project period.

The Local Agriculture and Seafood Act Grant Program supports a variety of activities associated with promoting the growth and sustainability of local food and seafood industries in Rhode Island. Maximum grant awards are $20,000 for qualifying farms, businesses, and individuals. Funding priorities include, but are not limited to, new or existing agricultural or fishery businesses, new product development, safety improvements, or the development of new marketing, promotion, sales, and distribution channels.

The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation is partnering to offer Entrepreneurial Training Program reimbursement of up to 75% of the $1,000 course fee. The course is designed to help early-stage startups vet their ideas and learn how to develop an investment-ready business plan. Grant recipients must comply with requirements that include meeting attendance standards and completing a business plan within six months of starting the program.