WI SBIR Advance

The Charlotte Business Matching Grants program provides commercial property owners and businesses in Charlotte with matching reimbursement grants of up to $90,000 to improve building appearance, enhance safety, and upgrade interior spaces. Administered by the City of Charlotte's Economic Development Department, the program is offered through three grant pathways covering exterior renovations, interior upgrades, and security improvements. Across all three tracks, the city reimburses 50% of eligible project costs up to the maximum grant award, with reimbursement issued after project completion, inspection, and submission of paid receipts. Eligible applicants include owners or tenants of for-profit commercial buildings located within the eligible geography, as well as national or regional chains headquartered in the Charlotte MSA. Vacant buildings may also qualify if the project is intended to attract eligible tenants. The Façade Improvement Grant provides up to $90,000 for commercial property owners and tenants renovating building exteriors and bringing signs, landscaping, and parking into compliance with city code. Eligible improvements include approved architectural façade renovations, signage and parking upgrades, landscaping, and infrastructure improvements in the public right-of-way, with an additional reimbursement of up to $3,000 available for architectural fees. The Interior Upfit Improvement Grant provides up to $30,000 to support renovations that enhance the functionality and code compliance of interior commercial spaces. Eligible improvements include HVAC, fire suppression, plumbing, and electrical systems; flooring, lighting, and wall reconfiguration; and interior restrooms and utility upgrades. The Security Improvement Grant provides up to $5,000 for a single business or up to $20,000 for shopping centers with three or more tenants to fund physical security upgrades. Eligible improvements include security lighting, cameras, fencing, locking devices, security windows, alarm systems, ironwork, and trees and shrubbery.

The Small Business Grant is designed to help Columbia, MO businesses grow, innovate, and improve operations. This competitive grant prioritizes businesses owned by residents of economically disadvantaged areas in Columbia and supports long-term community impact. Grant Awards: 6 grants of $5,000 2 grants of $10,000

The Dunn County Small Business Development Grant Program will offer eligible businesses up to $10,000 of funding to continue growing their operations and become more efficient. The grant funding can be used to access technical assistance through organizations like Western Dairyland Economic Opportunity Council and the Center for Innovation and Development at the University of Wisconsin Stout, help startups cover the cost of commercial space, and to match funding granted through other Economic Development Loan Fund Programs like the Revolving Loan Fund or Regional Business Fund.

The BIG LIFT Citywide Storefront Improvement Grant Program provides Brownsville, Texas small businesses with reimbursement grants of up to $30,000 to fund exterior property improvements. Administered by the Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation (BCIC), the program is designed to improve the visual appearance of commercial buildings throughout the city, support locally owned small businesses with fewer than 20 employees, and extend the economic development benefits of BCIC's downtown-focused BIG Property Improvement Grant into commercial corridors and neighborhoods citywide. The program operates on a reimbursement basis: approved applicants must fund their projects upfront and are reimbursed upon satisfactory project completion and submission of required documentation. Applications open by City Council District on a rotating basis, with each district opening for a defined window each year. Businesses located within the boundaries of the original BIG Program (Historic Downtown) must apply under the BIG Program guidelines rather than BIG LIFT, and no business may receive funding from both programs for the same property.

The Confidence Collective is structured to select 250 women entrepreneurs who will receive access to business coaching, skill-building resources, networking opportunities, and a peer community. Of those 250 participants, 20 will be awarded $20,000 grants intended to support business development and growth. The 250 selected participants will be announced in the coming months, with grant recipients named in fall 2026.