Walnut Small Business Grant

Virginia Economic Development Incentive Grants are designed to attract competitive projects to Virginia. Projects must be significant, creating hundreds of jobs in Virginia by relocating headquarters, administrative, or service sector operations to Virginia. Depending on location and wages offered, companies must create between 200 and 400 jobs, ranging from 150 to 200 percent of the local prevailing wage, and meet minimum capital or job investment requirements. Award amounts vary and are calculated based on a return-on-investment analysis, jobs and wages, capital investment, regional unemployment and poverty figures, and more.

Inspired by Founders First CEO, Kim Folsom’s brother, U.S. Navy Veteran Stephen L. Tadlock, the $25,000 fund will make investments of $1,000 each to 25 veterans who are running employer-based small businesses across the country.

The Black Ambition Prize competition provides a platform for underrepresented founders across the nation to access growth capital, coaching, and a curated community of innovators and mentors. Eligible applicants consist of diverse innovators building early-stage ventures

The One North Carolina Fund (OneNC) is a discretionary cash-grant program that allows the Governor to respond quickly to competitive job-creation projects. The North Carolina Department of Commerce administers OneNC on behalf of the Governor. Awards are based on the number of jobs created, level of investment, location of the project, economic impact of the project and the importance of the project to the state and region.

The Guaranteed Work Force Program provides funds for West Virginia employers to cover the costs of training, retraining, and upgrading worker skills at all levels of an organization. Both new and tenured employee training is eligible. Awards are limited to $2,000 per trainee, and overall funding is based on average starting wages, location, number of employees, and the number of trainees.