Sharon Economic Development Grant
Sharon Economic Development Grant
City of Sharon
ABOUT THE GRANT
The Sharon Economic Development Grant Fund provides grant funding to startup and existing businesses operating within the City of Sharon, Pennsylvania to help de-risk and accelerate operations, fuel growth, and support the revitalization of the city's downtown. Administered by the Shenango LaunchBox (Penn State Shenango's entrepreneurial support program) on behalf of a partnership between the City of Sharon, Penn State Shenango, and the Community Foundation of Western Pennsylvania and Eastern Ohio, the fund draws from a $2 million endowment created in 2022 (with funds contributed by the City of Sharon's American Rescue Plan dollars and a matching investment by Penn State University), and awards approximately $100,000 in grants to Sharon businesses each year.
Individual grant amounts vary based on each business's pitch and the recommendation of the Grant Selection Committee, with recent rounds awarding multiple businesses through a single annual cycle. Priority is given to businesses that align with the City of Sharon's Main Street Model, contribute to the revitalization of the State Street Downtown Improvement District, generate new jobs, and drive travel and tourism to Sharon. To qualify, applicants must have a business presence within the 16146 zip code (City of Sharon). The application process is multi-stage: applicants first submit a Letter of Intent on a rolling basis, then participate in a review and feedback round, complete a pitch coaching session with the Shenango LaunchBox team, and ultimately deliver a 5-minute pitch with Q&A to the Sharon Economic Development Grant Committee, which makes the final funding decision. In addition to grant funding, applicants benefit from free consulting services, pitch coaching, and access to broader Shenango LaunchBox programming, with some past recipients also receiving free legal advice from Penn State Law's Entrepreneur Assistance Clinic and business plan support from the Gannon Small Business Development Center.
Tracking grants is our job
Sign up for The Grant Brief to get our latest grants every Tuesday. One email, zero fluff.
NOTES
We haven't added commentary on this grant yet. In the meantime, the fundor's website (linkeded above) is the best source for application details and eligibility specifics.
Not the right grant for you?
Other Grants
SF Storefront Opportunity Grant
City of San Francisco
The Storefront Opportunity Grant provides a grant between $50,000 - $100,000 to eligible businesses to help offset the cost of their first year of operations. Interested business owners will need to submit an application with a newly signed executed lease on or before Friday, May 29th, 2026.
Dayton Economic Development Grant
Montgomery County, OH
Montgomery County’s Economic Development/Government Equity (ED/GE) Grant Program, is designed to benefit companies that create and retain local jobs by investing in their growth in Montgomery County. The competitive program distributes grant funds twice a year (spring and fall) to finance permanent improvement projects (new building construction, renovation, power upgrades, plumbing, parking, etc.) Projects are evaluated by a committee of public and private representatives that evaluate the number and quality of the jobs created, the capital investment, as well as the impact each project has on the community.
Nj Clean Tech R&D Voucher
New Jersey CSIT
The New Jersey Clean Tech Research and Development (R&D) Voucher Program provides early-stage New Jersey based clean technology companies with vouchers of up to $40,000 to subsidize access to research and development equipment, facilities, and makerspaces at participating "core facilities" across the state. Administered by the New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology (CSIT) in collaboration with the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA), the program is designed to accelerate development and innovation of clean technologies, helping companies transform research stage discoveries into commercially viable technologies that attract industry and investor interest. Eligible target areas include chemicals and advanced materials, energy distribution and storage, energy efficiency, energy generation, green buildings, transportation, waste processing, and water and agriculture. Funds are paid directly to participating core facilities (which include New Jersey based colleges and universities, federal labs, NJEDA approved Strategic Innovation Centers, and approved nonprofit organizations) rather than to the business itself, and may be used for access to labs, equipment, makerspaces, and technology centers, use of facility equipment and technicians for testing and development, training to prepare for independent use of equipment, access to datasets at participating facilities, and supplies and consumables needed to operate that equipment. Applicants can apply for multiple CSIT vouchers up to a combined cap of $40,000 in any 12-month period. To qualify, applicants must be a for-profit company authorized and in good standing to conduct business in New Jersey (nonprofits are not eligible), have no more than 50 full-time-equivalent workers, have at least one full-time worker, conduct 50 percent or more of cumulative work hours in New Jersey, generate less than or equal to $5 million in prior calendar year sales revenue (excluding grant revenue), and hold a current NJ Tax Clearance Certificate listing CSIT. Approved projects must fall within Technology Readiness Levels 1 through 7 (from basic research through full-scale prototype demonstration in a relevant environment). Manufacturing of products for sale or commercial use and real estate rental expenses are not eligible. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis as long as program funds remain available, and applicants must secure a written letter of support, agreed scope of work, and agreed budget from a participating core facility before their application is complete.
ZenBusiness Grant
ZenBusiness
This program is open to new businesses that used the ZenBusiness platform to launch their business within the past three to six months. Applications are now open and are accepted quarterly. Winners receive a $5,000 grant, as well as free access to select ZenBusiness products.
Seattle Back to Business Program
Seattle OED
The Seattle Back to Business Program provides Seattle small businesses with reimbursement grants to recover from vandalism and property damage and to invest in preventive security measures. Administered by the Seattle Office of Economic Development (OED) , the program builds on the original Storefront Repair Fund (which ran from 2022 to 2024) and consolidates two. The first grant pathway is the Storefront Repair Fund, which reimburses up to $3,000 per incident for the cost of repairing storefront property damage such as broken doors, locks, fences, gates, signs, and windows; businesses may apply for up to three separate incidents that occurred on or after July 1, 2024. The second is the Storefront Security Fund, which provides a one-time reimbursement of up to $6,000 to fund preventive security improvements such as window or door reinforcement, locks, signs, security window film, and shatterproof glass; applicants must first complete a Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) security assessment with a certified expert, and only purchases made after that assessment qualify. Both grants operate as reimbursements, meaning eligible expenses must be paid before applying. To qualify, businesses must be independently owned and non-chain, located within Seattle city limits, have no more than 50 full-time equivalent employees and no more than three locations, generate between $1,000 and $7 million in annual net revenue, and have been in operation for at least 12 months. Priority is given to small businesses owned by people of color, women-owned businesses, and businesses located in highly distressed census tracts. Graffiti removal, security cameras, and loss of stolen goods are not eligible expenses under either fund.