Orlando Retail Stimulus Program

The Business Initiation Grant provides qualifying, new business startups with a "leg up" at their most critical time. The grant offers up to $5,000 for startup costs to qualified applicants. The entrepreneur is required to participate in a business planning workshop through one of Englewood's economic partners. The business owner must have a fully developed business plan which will be reviewed by the experts at the Aurora-South Small Business Development Center. Grant funding may be used for any valid purpose and a physical storefront or business presence in a commercial or industrial district is required. Capital improvements are permanent investments in the building or on the property, which are generally associated with a building permit. Businesses opened in Englewood within the last 12 months are eligible to apply. Grant funding is limited, and not all businesses that apply may be funded.

The WEDC provides grant matching for businesses that have received a Phase I or Phase II federal SBIR grant. Businesses that have received a Phase I award are eligible for a 50% matching grant, up to $75,000. Businesses that have received a Phase II award are eligible for 100% matching per year for up to two years.

Property owners in the Uptown Area of Kenosha can apply for the new Uptown Area Facade Grant and the Uptown Area Business Recruitment and Retention Grant, two initiatives designed to revitalize the corridor and encourage continued investment in the neighborhood. The facade grant program will provide up to $10,000 in reimbursable funding for exterior building improvements. The grants will cover up to 50 percent of eligible project costs and can be used for upgrades such as new windows and doors, awnings, signage, lighting, landscaping, fencing, siding, masonry work, and architectural services. The Redevelopment Authority of the City of Kenosha has allocated $50,000 for the program. A second program, the Uptown Area Business Recruitment and Retention Grant, will offer up to $5,000 in reimbursable funding to support operational improvements for businesses in the area. The grant will cover up to 75 percent of eligible costs and may be used for purchases such as new inventory, equipment, marketing efforts, or technology upgrades intended to improve the customer experience.

As part of its continued efforts to grow Rhode Island's green economy, DEM has partnered with the Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources to administer the RI Agricultural Energy Grant Program that provides grant awards of up to $20,000 for eligible energy efficiency and renewable energy projects at RI Farms. This funding helps local farmers "green" their operations and benefit from the related energy and cost savings through energy efficiency projects and by transitioning to renewable power.

The Harris County Harris Hub program is a targeted investment in the recovery and development of Harris County’s small businesses. Harris Hub provides funding to Business Support Organizations (BSOs) to increase their capacity to provide in-depth and culturally competent technical assistance to small and microenterprises affected by the COVID19 pandemic. Harris County is working with vendors BakerRipley, ROADS Consulting, and FORWARD Platform to provide small business owners with individualized, tailored technical assistance in the areas of marketing, financial management, hiring, and more. This program is designed to target underserved small businesses, including those owned by women, veterans and persons of color. Each eligible small business can receive up to 30 hours of technical assistance. Small businesses that complete 15 hours of technical assistance in the program are eligible for a $5,000 grant (depending on available grant funding).