State Trade Expansion Program (STEP)

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 Small Business Lease Grant supports the growth and success of small businesses and nonprofits by providing grant funding to cover a portion of lease payments. These resources will help the establishment and growth of small businesses, while also helping to fill space that is currently vacant and preventing future vacancies. The Grant is being funded through the Main Street Recovery Finance Program (NJ Economic Recovery Act).

The Multimodal Transportation Fund provides grants to encourage economic development and ensure that a safe and reliable system of transportation is available to the residents of the commonwealth. Funds may be used for the development, rehabilitation and enhancement of transportation assets to existing communities, streetscape, lighting, sidewalk enhancement, pedestrian safety, connectivity of transportation assets and transit-oriented development.

The Business Energy Retrofit (BER) Grant provides small business owners, Tribal governments, and nonprofits with reimbursement grants of $2,500 to $25,000 to fund energy-efficiency improvements at their commercial properties. Funded by Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation (IRRR), Minnesota's economic development agency for the Iron Range region, and administered through a partnership with the Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency (AEOA), the program is available to businesses with 100 or fewer employees located within IRRR's northeastern Minnesota service area. Grant awards may cover up to $25,000 in eligible energy retrofit expenses (or one-third of total project cost, capped at $75,000, whichever is lower). Eligible projects include lighting and fixtures, building envelope air sealing, appliances, motors, and equipment, insulation and ventilation, heating and cooling systems, windows and door replacements, large generators for business use, new construction for remodeling in the event of fire or natural disaster, and renewable energy installations. Electric vehicle installations are also eligible, contingent upon proof that all other funding sources (state, federal, and power company programs) have been exhausted. Applications are accepted year-round and reviewed twice per year. A $500 AEOA application fee is required at the initial inspection and processed at project closing. Work cannot begin prior to approval and site inspection, and grant payments are made directly to the awarded contractor or vendor upon completion and final inspection. Applicants are limited to one project per year (additional projects considered case-by-case) and must have property taxes paid and up to date, along with verification from the Minnesota Secretary of State that the organization and any contractors are active and in good standing. Prevailing wage must be paid and certified payroll collected.

Small business assistance grants provide up to $3,000 to help cover costs associated with employees who take approved Paid Family and Medical Leave. Grants are available for employers with 150 or fewer employees. You may apply for up to 10 grants each year, one per employee on leave.