Saint Paul Neighborhood STAR Grant

The MDOT Small Business Grant Program provides direct grants of up to $50,000 to small businesses located along Maryland's Purple Line light rail corridor that are impacted by construction. Administered by the Maryland Department of Transportation, the program is designed to help offset the operational impact of construction-related closures and detours on businesses within one-quarter mile of the existing or future Purple Line tracks. The program runs from 2025 through 2028 with $1 million awarded each year across up to three application rounds, and is a successor to the earlier Purple Line Construction Zone Grant Program. Grant funds may be used for a wide range of business expenses, including payroll and healthcare benefits, contract labor, working capital, rent or mortgage payments, supplier payments, machinery and equipment, and utilities. In addition to direct grants, the program may also provide marketing funding and other business support for corridor businesses. Awards are competitive and prioritized based on a business's proximity to the most significant construction impacts.

The Middlesex County Revitalization Commission offers grants to qualified small businesses in Middlesex County, Connecticut. The grants are designed to provide operating assistance for small businesses to continue and grow their operations. This is a five-year grant program. The MCRC Business Operating Grants Program will distribute $200,000 in grants annually from 2023 to 2027. Small businesses (up to 50 employees and under $8 million in revenue) that have been in business for at least two years in a Middlesex County town may be eligible to apply. Businesses may apply for up to $25,000 to help fund projects that spur business growth or mitigate a hardship.

The Cuyahoga County Business Boost Initiative provides Cuyahoga County, Ohio small businesses with grants ranging from $1,000 to $10,000, with $250,000 in total funding available per cycle. Administered by the Cuyahoga County Office of Small Business (OSB), the program is specifically designed to provide targeted financial assistance to the county's smallest businesses while connecting entrepreneurs with resources that can help them modernize and grow. Unlike a traditional grant program focused only on distributing funding, the Business Boost Initiative combines financial assistance with business engagement, resource navigation, and technical assistance. Cuyahoga County is home to over 30,000 small businesses employing close to 300,000 residents, and the Office of Small Business fosters connections and collaborations between small businesses and various stakeholders across the county, including local chambers of commerce, trade associations, and industry leaders. To qualify, applicants must operate a small business located in Cuyahoga County. Additional eligibility criteria and specific application requirements are made available through the OSB application portal during each application cycle.

The City of Brentwood sets aside 20% of its business operating tax revenue for “economic development, with the explicit purpose of business promotion and institutional advertisement for the City of Brentwood.” As part of this effort, each year, the City offers reimbursement grants for local marketing; events; and business development projectsthrough the Economic Development Grant Program. Any organization or business can apply, if they have a current Brentwood Business License or are exempt from the Business License Requirement. Non‐profit and/or tax‐exempt organizations are also eligible, provided they submit proof of active status from the Secretary of State.

North Carolina’s Customized Training Program is the state’s premier workforce development initiative, helping businesses build and sustain a highly skilled, competitive workforce. The program, now branded as NCEdge, offers businesses workforce development strategies that align with a company’s unique needs and goals. NCEdge supports new, expanding, and existing businesses, providing flexible, up-to-date training solutions valid for up to three years. The cost of the training is covered by the state of North Carolina through the North Carolina Community College System. With 58 community colleges across North Carolina, NCEdge ensures businesses in all 100 counties have access to high-quality training resources.