VA Small Business Investment Grant

The purpose of the Big Sky Film Grant is to build and support partnerships with filmmakers and productions companies to create film industry jobs throughout the state. In addition to providing grant funding, the program elevates and supports Montana filmmakers, crew and businesses that provide products, services and locations to the film industry. To qualify, a production must film 50% or more of the principal photography days in Montana. Eligible productions include feature films, short films, documentaries, television series, limited series, music videos and others. Certain categories of productions are excluded from the program, including, but not limited to, broadcast news or current affairs programs, interview or talk shows, instructional videos, sports shows or events, religious or political campaigns, some adult content and daytime soap operas.

The Non-Traditional Apprenticeship Incentive Program provides employers with an incentive payment of $1,000 per non-trade apprentice hired and registered after the completion of the required probationary period. Employers are eligible for up to $5,000 in monetary incentives per calendar year and may collect no more than $1,000 for each unique apprentice. NOTE: Non-traditional apprenticeships are apprenticeships that are registered with the Department of Labor and Training that are outside of the construction trades. The required probationary period is a standard that established as part of the apprenticeship approval process and will vary based on the apprenticeship model.

The City of Chicago helps support business and neighborhood vitality through Community Development Grant (CDG) awards. CDGs use proceeds from the 2024 Housing and Development Bond and other funding sources to support a variety of eligible, business-related investments in construction and real estate development. Medium grants from $300,001 to $5 million are intended to support eligible commercial, cultural, industrial, institutional, social service and mixed-use projects. Grants are intended to support up to 50% of total project costs involving new construction, rehabilitation or both. Private and non-profit developers, tenants and property owners are eligible to apply individually or jointly during competitive, semi-annual funding rounds.

This program assists in the creation of new small businesses or the physical expansion of existing small businesses in targeted commercial corridors by providing forgivable loans to qualified applicants. Eligible Applicants include new small business owners occupying vacant space, or expanding small business owners. The business must be located in a first-floor storefront unit with emphasis to the Creative Economy.

Women of color entrepreneurs with early-stage businesses that generate less than $50,000 in annual revenue may be eligible for the Waves of Change Grant. Described primarily as a "service-based grant," in which experts will donate their time and services to help recipients grow their business, the grant may also offer a stipend to cover operating costs for one year. Our grant program kicks off in December, and we’ll start diving into the creative work in January. We plan to give you everything you need to launch your business or new brand by June, but we'll always leave wiggle room — because life happens!