Topeka Small Business Incentives

The Vibrant Places program supports local businesses that invest in improvements to their exterior appearance, including facades, landscaping, signage, and windows. The goal of the program is to enhance the vibrancy and improve the physical appearance of our commercial, industrial and mixed-use buildings. Grants range from $1,500-$50K based on business location and project scope. Maximum grant amount: $30K-$50K, depending on the location of the business. Businesses are required to contribute matching funds toward the total project cost. Funding is provided on a reimbursement basis. Businesses must cover expenses upfront and request reimbursement after project completion. Not all project components may qualify for reimbursement.

The Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Grant provides small businesses across the United States, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands with $10,000 grants distributed monthly, with 10 businesses selected each month. Administered by LISC (Local Initiatives Support Corporation), a national nonprofit that serves as the program's independent grant administrator, the grant is part of Verizon's broader commitment to equip one million small businesses with the tools and resources they need to thrive in today's digital economy. Since 2021, the program has funded more than 1,500 unique small businesses. What makes this grant distinctive is its education-first structure: applicants must first register on the Verizon Small Business Digital Ready platform (a free resource hub offering business courses, virtual events, and in-person workshops on topics such as marketing, AI, intellectual property, and social media) and complete any combination of two eligible courses or events to unlock the grant application. Once submitted, a single application remains under consideration for every monthly selection cycle throughout the year, meaning applicants only need to apply once to be considered across all remaining rounds. To be eligible, applicants must operate a for-profit small business (nonprofits are not eligible) based in the U.S., Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands, be at least 18 years of age, and be able to provide business and financial verification documentation if selected as a finalist. LISC uses a multi-step selection process that combines an anonymous drawing (to ensure every applicant has an equal chance), an algorithm that balances awards across industries and geographies, an in-depth review of community impact and proposed use of funds, and financial and legal verification of finalists. Priority is given to first-time applicants and to businesses located in under-resourced, low-to-moderate income communities that may not have access to flexible, affordable capital. The application is available in both English and Spanish, and grant funds do not need to be repaid.

As part of its continued efforts to grow Rhode Island's green economy, DEM has partnered with the Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources to administer the RI Agricultural Energy Grant Program that provides grant awards of up to $20,000 for eligible energy efficiency and renewable energy projects at RI Farms. This funding helps local farmers "green" their operations and benefit from the related energy and cost savings through energy efficiency projects and by transitioning to renewable power.

The Delaware Technical Innovation Program provides transition grants to companies that have progressed through Phase I and applied for Phase II of the federal Small Business Innovation Research or Small Business Technology Transfer programs. The maximum grant amount is $50,000 and can be put toward scientific research, market research, product planning and development, and more.

The purpose of this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is to invite Small Research Grant (R21) applications that propose to study the ethical, legal, and social implications (ELSI) of human genetics and genomics. Applications may propose studies using either single or mixed methods. Direct involvement of key stakeholders where appropriate is encouraged. These applications should be for small research projects, such as those that involve single investigators. Of particular interest are projects that propose normative or conceptual analyses, including focused legal, economic, philosophical, anthropological, or historical analyses of new or emerging issues. This mechanism can also be used for the collection of preliminary data and the secondary analysis of existing data.