Shophand Small Business Boost Grant

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 Southeastern Connecticut Enterprise Region has a $25,000 grant program for small businesses in southeastern Connecticut that need help with professional business services and equipment purchases. Eligible businesses must have been in business for at least four years, have an annual revenue between $1.5 million and $5 million, have at least five full-time employees, and be in good standing with the CT Department of Revenue Services.

Data science is an important cross-cutting research approach in the 2022 - 2026 NIDA Strategic Plan and increasing the capacity of experts in addiction related data science is critical. The purpose of this Notice is to facilitate the entry of investigators to the area of addiction-related data science, including newly independent data scientists or established investigators seeking to incorporate novel and cutting-edge data science methodologies into their research programs for the first time. Through this opportunity, investigators will propose to apply emerging data science methods to answer critical questions requiring advanced data analytic strategies. Projects should be small in scale and answer specific research questions or provide preliminary data for a larger scale project. Applicants are encouraged to use existing datasets, follow FAIR principles, and, when applicable, attend to ethical concerns in the conduct of research involving human subjects. Ultimately, the aim is to expedite the development of robust research programs focused on the convergence of innovative data science techniques and addiction research, with initial projects serving as precursors for subsequent, more expansive research projects.

WBDC, in partnership with the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood (OEC), offers grants of up to $25,000 to qualified child care businesses in Connecticut through its Child Care Business Opportunity Fund. Designed to help licensed and aspiring child care businesses grow, the Opportunity Fund has grant programs targeting different stages of business, from start-ups to those ready to expand.

The Luling Investment for Tomorrow (LIFT) Grant Program provides for-profit businesses, commercial property owners, and commercial tenants in Luling, Texas with reimbursement grants of up to $25,000 (or up to $50,000 for qualifying business expansions) to encourage private investment, strengthen local businesses, and improve commercial properties. Administered by the Luling Economic Development Corporation (LEDC), the program reimburses up to 75 percent of approved eligible project costs, with applicants required to provide a minimum 25 percent cash match (in-kind contributions, donated labor, and other grant funds do not qualify as match). The program is structured across three tiers: Tier 1 awards range from $1 to $9,999, Tier 2 awards range from $10,000 to $25,000, and Tier 3 awards up to $50,000 are available for existing Luling businesses that have operated continuously in the city for more than three years and are pursuing a defined expansion project. Eligible project expenditures span a broad range of business and property improvements, including façade and exterior improvements (such as structural façade rehabilitation, masonry work, awnings, canopies, storefronts, and architectural details), signage and exterior lighting, site and public-facing improvements (parking lots, driveways, sidewalks, landscaping, drainage), building systems and code-related improvements (electrical, plumbing, HVAC, fire suppression, roofing, accessibility upgrades), interior build-outs, durable business equipment and technology, and workforce training and skills development directly related to an approved expansion. Professional and design services (architectural, engineering, environmental) and marketing services (website development, branding, photography, digital advertising) are also eligible, each capped at 10 percent of total eligible project costs. Ineligible expenses include projects started before the grant agreement is executed, debt service and loan payments, working capital, payroll, rent, utilities, inventory, vehicles, routine maintenance, applicant or employee labor and sweat equity, home-based businesses or primary residences, and costs already reimbursed by another program. To qualify, applicants must operate a for-profit business at a commercial location within Luling city limits, be authorized to conduct business in Texas and in good standing, have no delinquent utility accounts, property taxes, sales taxes, liens, court fines, or other outstanding financial obligations to the City, LEDC, Caldwell County, or other applicable taxing jurisdictions, and maintain all required licenses, registrations, insurance, and permits. Applicants must either own the project property or provide a current lease with written owner authorization. Expansion awards require documentation of more than three continuous years of business operation in Luling along with evidence of financial capacity and project feasibility. Each applicant, business, common owner, affiliated entity, or project location may receive no more than one LIFT award within a 12-month period for awards under $10,000, or within a 24-month period for awards of $10,000 or more. Applications are reviewed through a competitive process using a 100-point evaluation framework that scores projects on economic impact, private investment and leverage, business stability and capacity, project readiness and feasibility, community and visual benefit, retention or expansion benefit, alignment with Luling priorities, and local ownership and procurement. Standard applications generally need to score at least 65 points, while expansion requests above $25,000 generally need at least 75 points. Awards exceeding $10,000 require both LEDC Board approval and City Council approval by resolution. Grants are reimbursed only after project completion, with recipients required to keep the funded business open and operating at the approved Luling location for at least 13 months after reimbursement (up to 36 months for larger expansion awards), and partial or full repayment may be required if a business closes, sells, or relocates within the first year.