NC IDEA Grants

The City of Jacksonville is committed to strengthening its local economy and enhancing the community’s appeal for residents and visitors alike. Beautification of commercial properties is a proven took for achieving these goals, as well- maintained and visually appealing business districts can influence consumer behavior, attract tourism and contribute to a vibrant community atmosphere. In support of these efforts, in 2025, the City established the Rediscover Jacksonville Business Beautification Grant Program to assist local businesses with exterior improvement projects that promote economic growth and support tourism throughout Jacksonville. The purpose of this grant program is to provide financial assistance to Jacksonville, AR businesses for projects that enhance the exterior appearance and curb appeal of their establishments. These improvements are intended to strengthen Jacksonville’s commercial corridors, attract shoppers and visitors, and promote business retention and growth by encouraging increased foot traffic and customer engagement.

The Business or Commercialization Planning assistance micro-grant can reimburse up to $5000, spent on hiring an approved, independent, third party to write a comprehensive business or commercialization plan for a Wisconsin business. Typically awardees are pursuing a Phase II SBIR/STTR grant in which a detailed commercialization plan is required. The program is limited to businesses in certain industries.

The Registered Apprenticeship Incentive is designed to offset the extraordinary costs of utilizing a Registered Apprenticeship training program. Applications are reviewed quarterly by the WDC Grant Review Committee. Funds for this grant are distributed after apprentice completes 500 hours of on-the-job training (175 hours for Youth Apprenticeship)

Through funding from Racine County, a Matching Grant Program (MGP) was established with the goal of providing a means for existing small and medium-sized companies to obtain the professional services necessary for a strong foundation for continued business growth and to provide jobs for Racine County residents. This grant reimburses up to 50% of eligible cost – up to $5,000 per applicant. Additional grants are available specifically to residents of both Burlington and Sturtevant.

The Digital Sandbox KC Grant provides early-stage technology entrepreneurs and startups in the Kansas City region with up to $20,000 in proof-of-concept funding to support the development and validation of new digital technology innovations. Administered by the Technology Venture Studio within the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) Innovation Center and supported by partners including the Missouri Technology Corporation, the program is designed to help founders advance early-stage concepts toward commercialization and prepare them for follow-on funding. Awardees are selected quarterly and, in addition to funding, receive critical project feedback, mentorship, and industry support. Funds may be used for proof-of-concept needs such as project personnel and consultants, market research and validation, equipment, prototyping, and beta testing. Notably, the program does not fund businesses directly — instead, approved projects are funded through a contract between Digital Sandbox KC and a project vendor selected by the client business, and that vendor cannot hold any ownership stake in the company. The program broadly serves new innovation in information technology, with past recipients working in areas such as mobile apps, big data, software platforms, hardware, tangible products, and health care IT.