RI Non-Trade Apprenticeship Expansion Grants

This program, through a series of statewide partner organizations, will award grants to eligible businesses in communities that have been adversely affected by structural racial discrimination, civil unrest, lack of access to capital, loss of population or an aging population, or lack of regional economic diversification. A total of $94.3 million will be awarded as grants in multiple rounds. Grant funds can be used for working capital to support payroll expenses, rent or mortgage payments, utility bills, equipment, and other similar expenses that occur in the regular course of business.

The NeighborHUB Grant Program supports small business expansion in Detroit, Highland Park, and Hamtramck. Businesses can get up to $15,000 to put toward a business project that improves their neighborhood or community. To qualify, businesses need to have been in operation for at least one year, have fewer than 25 employees, and have less than $500,000 gross revenue in the past year.

The Modernization Investment Support Initiative (MISI) Program gives grants to eligible Delaware businesses that need help modernizing their operations to remain competitive. Eligible businesses can get up to 20% of approved modernization expenses reimbursed, up to $1 million per project. Businesses can use the funds toward equipment and machinery purchases, construction, and engineering services. In order to qualify, businesses need to have an operating history of at least ten years, have a proposed modernization budget of at least $1 million, and demonstrate a need for updates to remain competitive.

Small businesses are the foundations of our communities, and together with our members, we want to help them thrive with the FHLBank Indianapolis Elevate grant. We believe that strong small businesses generate more economic opportunities for everyone. With an Elevate grant, our members can help their small business customers expand or train new or retain existing workers. Small businesses throughout Indiana and Michigan have used Elevate to help fund training and professional development opportunities, technological enhancements, new or upgraded equipment and more.

The NORA Façade RENEW Plus Program provides commercial property owners and business tenants located along priority commercial corridors in New Orleans with matching reimbursement grants to fund high-quality exterior façade improvements that reduce visible blight and align properties with current design standards. Administered by the New Orleans Redevelopment Authority (NORA) and funded through the federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, the grant covers 85 percent of total eligible project costs, with the applicant responsible for the remaining 15 percent. Grant amounts scale with the size of the property: NORA funds up to $50,000 per 50 linear feet of eligible ground-floor commercial frontage, meaning larger properties can qualify for substantially higher reimbursements (for example, a property with 74 linear feet of frontage may qualify for up to $100,000 in reimbursable improvements). Eligible applicants include commercial property owners and business tenants with property owner consent, all of whom must be in good standing with the City of New Orleans and the Louisiana Secretary of State, have no outstanding taxes, liens, or municipal debts, and must not be debarred from receiving federal assistance. The program is geographically targeted to specific corridors in the Lower Ninth Ward (St. Claude Avenue from the Industrial Canal to the Parish Line) and New Orleans East (designated stretches of Bullard Avenue, Crowder Boulevard, Downman Road, Lake Forest Boulevard, and Read Boulevard). Funded improvements must be exterior façade work that follows HDLC Commercial Design Guidelines, and selected applicants are required to work with a NORA-designated architect to develop the project design, obtain two detailed construction estimates from licensed contractors, and provide proof of funds for the required match before construction begins. The grant is reimbursement-based, with NORA verifying completed work through inspection before disbursing approved costs. All projects carry a minimum five-year compliance period, during which funded improvements must be maintained in good condition and the project location must remain in active commercial use.