RI Workplace Accessibility Grants

The Palmdale Commercial Façade and Tenant Improvement Grant Program provides Palmdale, California small businesses with grants of up to $25,000 to fund exterior façade improvements, tenant improvements, and ADA accessibility upgrades to their commercial properties. Administered by the City of Palmdale and funded by Measure AV dollars, the program launches as a pilot with $125,000 in initial funding, distributed to ensure at least $25,000 in awards go to businesses within each of the city's five council districts. The program is designed to encourage private investment in Palmdale storefronts, improve business accessibility citywide, and enhance the visual character of the city's commercial corridors. Applications are evaluated through a 100-point scoring rubric that emphasizes visible impact, project readiness, and equity. As part of the pilot program structure, up to 50 percent of an awarded grant may be disbursed upfront upon execution of the award agreement, with the remaining balance issued after project completion and verification. This upfront disbursement is a program guarantee rather than a discretionary option, designed to reduce the cash flow barrier that many small businesses face when funding upfront project costs. To qualify, applicants must operate a small business located within the City of Palmdale. Specific eligibility criteria, including business size definitions, ownership requirements, allowable improvements, contractor requirements, and match commitments, are outlined in the program's official Guidelines Document. Staff have indicated that state definitions for small and micro businesses will be incorporated into the guidelines, and a separate micro-business grant may be considered in the future depending on program uptake.

The Commercial Development Authority (CDA) of the City of Jacksonville, Alabama, in its continuing effort to support the development of commercial business in Jacksonville, has created a Business Development Grant Program for business owners and tenants. The Business Development Grant Program will continue the process of creating an atmosphere conducive to conducting business in Jacksonville while attracting new commercial development. The following outlines the details of Jacksonville’s Business Development Grant Program. Business Development Grants are awarded by the CDA to encourage entrepreneurship, investment, and business success in the City of Jacksonville for new, expanding, and transitioning businesses. Grants are contingent on the availability of funding. Businesses must be located within the City of Jacksonville and meet the eligibility requirements.

New and existing commercial, retail, or industrial businesses in Leavenworth, KS may be reimbursed 50% of the costs for the development of their business. Owners may be eligible for a dollar-for-dollar matching grant up to $5,000 for single unit locations and up to $15,000 for multi-tenant locations. Grant monies are awarded to encourage building updates and/or renovations to new and existing businesses. These funds are not available for routine repairs and maintenance.

The Athens Downtown Development Authority (ADDA) Business Marketing Grant Program is intended to incentivize economic development by encouraging investment in brand development and online marketing. This grant supports funding for branding strategies; logo design; web design and development; e-commerce; and online/social media marketing optimization. The program will offer a 50% matching grant up to $5,000 for reimbursement. Improvements must contribute to the overall value of downtown business and investments.

The Business Equity Initiative Fund assists women business owners, particularly low- to moderate-income people, with access to capital and funding support not available through traditional loans. We seek to develop and support entrepreneurship and expand the capacity of these businesses in Muskegon County and in alignment with the Community Foundation of Muskegon County’s strategic objective of fostering a dynamic local economy.