WBDC Launch Pad Grant Program

The Pennsylvania Farm Vitality Planning Grant Program provides Pennsylvania farmers with reimbursement grants of up to $15,000 (covering up to 75 percent of project costs) to fund professional services that help plan for the future of their farm. Administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, the program is designed to enhance the long-term vitality of Pennsylvania's farms through business planning, efficient transitions of ownership, strategic expansion, diversification of agricultural production, and building a team of financial and technical expertise as a resource for farmers. Grants support projects such as enhancing a farm's long-term success with business and management strategies, transitioning farm ownership and operation to new people (including passing ownership within the family), diversifying agricultural production with new plans, expanding or seeking financing for growth, and ensuring farms with conservation easements remain profitable and protect public investments. Eligible costs are focused on the professional services agricultural professionals provide when developing business, transition, and succession plans, and the related documents they create. Covered services include accountants, CPAs, business consultants, and financial planners (for profitability and feasibility studies, financial guidance, and preparation of income statements, cash flow statements, and balance sheets), business planning services and related business software (such as QuickBooks), appraisers (for appraisals directly related to succession), attorneys (for the preparation and filing of legal documents and setting up a new business entity with the next generation), and facilitators or mediators (to guide farm succession meetings and communication or help farm families work through succession conflicts). Ineligible costs include capital improvements of any kind (land or farm purchases, facilities, equipment, buildings, remodels, repairs and maintenance, and installation of conservation practices), conservation plans (including Ag E&S plans, Manure Management plans, and Nutrient Management plans), surveying and subdivision costs (even if related to succession), any taxes (even if related to property transfer), insurance premiums and related costs, and meals, mileage, or other travel expenses. Grants operate on a reimbursement basis: applicants must complete their approved work plan and submit documentation of paid costs before reimbursement is issued. In-kind support does not count toward the applicant's 25 percent contribution.

SBIR Assistance micro-grants are aimed at technology and research-based Wisconsin businesses, who intend to apply for SBIR/STTR federal funds. The business‘ SAM registration and SBIR submission must have a WI address. The grants cover reimbursement of costs up to $5000.00, incurred by a business in hiring an independent, approved third-party to assist in the development of federal Phase 1 SBIR/STTR research and development proposal.

The Dominion Energy Small Business Energy Solutions program is designed to reduce energy use and costs through enhancements to lighting and HVAC systems. The program pays 90% of the cost, up to $6,000. Applicants must be current Dominion Energy customers.

Getting access to capital is hard enough as a woman, and even harder at the very beginning stages of starting a business. The Women Founders Grant awards $5,000 merit-based grants to women founders and business owners.

The Phoenix Office of Arts and Culture believes that investing in arts and culture builds community and enhances the quality of life for residents. The agency offers various opportunities, including funding and professional development, designed to support the work of arts organizations, artists and educators who provide quality arts programming, activities and experiences to residents, neighborhoods and communities.