Replacing, Removing, or Upgrading Underground Storage Tanks Grant

The Seed Capital Matching Fund provides a source of matching grant funds to assist new, startup, and emerging small businesses located within Southwest Virginia’s e-Region and to attract new small businesses from outside the region to locate here. Since the program was established in 2017, more than 200 new business startups have been assisted in the region by the Seed Capital program and hundreds of full-time and part-time jobs have been created. The applicant must have dollar-for-dollar matching funds from one or more other sources in at least an amount sufficient to match funds requested from VCEDA. No applicant can be approved for more than $10,000 under this program.

The Shawnee Forward Business Growth Grant provides Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma small businesses with 50/50 matching reimbursement grants of up to $20,000 to help fund expansion projects that create new full-time jobs. Administered by Shawnee Forward, the community and economic development organization serving Shawnee and Pottawatomie County, the program is funded through Shawnee Forward investment earnings and partner support. Its purpose is to encourage capital investment that strengthens existing businesses, expands operations, and grows the local economy. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until annual funding is exhausted. Eligible projects include building renovations or expansions, machinery, equipment, or technology purchases, infrastructure improvements, training tied to new jobs, and professional services directly related to the project. Grant funds are limited to approved capital investments and may not be used for payroll, rent, utilities, inventory, working capital, or other operating expenses. Grants may be combined with other funding sources, provided there is no duplication of reimbursement. Expenses incurred before grant approval are not eligible. To qualify, applicants must be a for-profit business located in Pottawatomie County with 50 or fewer full-time employees (both startups and existing businesses are eligible), demonstrate the financial capacity to complete the project, and be current on taxes, licenses, and insurance. The project must create net new full-time jobs before reimbursement is issued. Businesses are limited to one grant. The application process requires a completed application, a project narrative and timeline, a project budget with quotes, and matching funds documentation. Applications are reviewed and scored by Shawnee Forward staff and recommended to the Board for approval, after which a grant agreement is executed. Reimbursement is issued only after the project is completed, documentation is submitted, and eligible expenses and job creation are verified.

The Fairfield Commercial Revitalization Grant (CRG) provides Fairfield, Ohio building owners and small business owners with matching grants ranging from $5,000 to $25,000 to fund exterior improvements to commercial properties. Administered by the Fairfield Community Improvement Corporation (CIC) with staffing support from the City of Fairfield's Development Services Department, the program is designed to strengthen the economic vitality of the city's commercial business districts by improving the appearance of storefronts and other commercial properties. Grantees are required to provide at least 20 percent matching funds. To be eligible, applicants must operate a for-profit small business with 25 or fewer employees, use the property for a commercial purpose (such as retail, restaurant, or office space), be current on taxes, and be in compliance with all relevant codes. Eligible improvements include exterior work such as façade repairs, cleaning, and painting, replacement of obsolete signage, storefronts, awnings, doors, and windows, landscaping and site improvements, and associated design and engineering costs. Funds cannot be used for interior improvements, roof repairs or replacement, additions or new construction, machinery or equipment, minor routine maintenance, or improvements already underway. The application process requires interested applicants to obtain two cost estimates for planned improvements and to complete a pre-application meeting before submitting a formal funding application.

The Portland Vacant Storefront Grant Program provides Portland grocery stores, restaurants, and retailers with matching reimbursement grants of up to $100,000 (reimbursing up to 75 percent of eligible project costs) to occupy vacant street-level storefronts within the City of Portland. Administered by Prosper Portland, the city's economic development agency, the program is funded through $800,000 in one-time general fund resources and is designed to foster a vibrant central city and commercial districts by reducing the barrier to entry for eligible businesses seeking to move into vacant commercial space. Applications are accepted on a rolling, first-come, first-served basis until funds are exhausted. Maximum grant award amounts vary by business category. Grocery stores that occupy more than 5,000 rentable square feet and provide household products, packaged foods, bulk foods, produce, or meat for home consumption are eligible for up to $100,000. Restaurants are eligible for up to $50,000. Retailers, including grocery stores of 5,000 square feet or less, are eligible for up to $25,000. Awards provided under this program count toward the maximum awards available through Prosper Portland's Prosperity Investment Program (PIP) grant, so businesses that have already received the maximum PIP grant within the last five years are ineligible for this program. Grant funds may be used for both hard costs and soft costs. Eligible hard costs include signage, painting, lighting, storefront work, mechanical systems, tenant improvements, roofs, security, landscaping, and other permanent fixtures. Eligible soft costs (capped at 20 percent of the total grant) include design, architectural and engineering services, permitting fees, and third-party project management. Ineligible expenses include costs incurred before grant agreement execution, inventory purchases or replacement, non-permanent fixtures and furnishings, equipment purchases, real property purchases, and operating expenses such as owner or employee wages, marketing, and rent. To qualify, business owner applicants must own a grocery store, restaurant, or retail business located in the City of Portland, have secured a lease with at least three years remaining to occupy a vacant street-level storefront in a property zoned for commercial, mixed-use, employment, industrial, or multi-dwelling use, hold a City of Portland business license and State of Oregon registry, and be current on all financial obligations related to the property (including taxes, debt payments, and any obligations to Prosper Portland). Franchises or businesses with three or more locations regardless of location must be locally owned, with the owner residing in Portland. Property owners are also eligible if they are leasing to an eligible business owner. Nonprofits, national franchises that are not locally owned, businesses that exclude minors during all business hours, businesses that sell THC products, e-commerce businesses without a storefront, and food carts or food trucks are not eligible.

These program provides small, targeted grants to early-stage entrepreneurs who are ready to launch new businesses in Escalon. The intent is to support promising business concepts, encourage innovation, and help new ventures overcome the early financial barriers that often prevent start-ups from getting off the ground.