WY Kickstart Grant

The Mecklenburg County Virginia Small Business Assistance Grants are a suite of six competitive grant programs administered by the Mecklenburg County Department of Economic Development & Tourism to support small business growth, revitalize commercial corridors, and strengthen the county's visitor economy. Applications open on an annual cycle, and each program within the suite runs as its own competitive application. Together, these programs reflect the county's focus on supporting the sectors that have historically sustained Mecklenburg County, including small family businesses, agritourism operations, and the lake-based recreational economy. Four of the six programs are direct small business grants offered as 1:1 matching grants that are paid as a 50 percent reimbursement to the applicant after project completion. The Business Growth Grant provides up to $50,000 to fund a one-time expense related to general business needs such as equipment, tools, professional services, or computer hardware and software, with four grants awarded per cycle. The Commercial Property Demolition Grant provides up to $50,000 to support the demolition of blighted or underused commercial structures and help move properties toward redevelopment, with two grants awarded per cycle. The Home-Based Business Transition Grant provides up to $15,000 to help home-based businesses transition into commercial locations, with two grants awarded per cycle. And the E-Commerce Grant provides up to $10,000 to help small businesses establish or enhance their virtual presence, add online payments or shopping tools, or strengthen their cybersecurity, with two grants awarded per cycle. Two additional programs support Mecklenburg County's tourism economy. The Tourism Development Fund is a Mecklenburg County Tourism Zone Incentive designed to attract larger, transformational tourism-related projects that bring significant private investment, create new quality jobs, secure needed amenities, and serve as catalysts for long-term economic development. The Tourism Marketing Support Grant provides financial assistance to eligible tourism partners for marketing projects that attract visitors, encourage overnight stays, and strengthen the county's visitor economy. Common eligibility requirements across the programs include being a locally owned small business physically located in Mecklenburg County, holding a current business license (where required at the applicant's location), being in good standing with all county programs, ordinances, and taxes, and signing up for the county's email listing for business resource information. Nonprofit organizations are not eligible for any of the programs, and home-based businesses may apply for some (but not all) programs, depending on program-specific rules.

The Allstate Main Street Grants Program awards $20,000 grants to 100 selected small business owners across the United States to invest in tools, growth strategies, and resources that strengthen their business operations. Presented by Allstate in partnership with Hello Alice, the program represents a $2 million annual commitment to supporting local businesses that power American Main Streets. Up to 250 entrepreneurs are first accepted into a 12-week virtual Boost Camp accelerator that focuses on marketing, finance, operations, and growth, providing weekly content, peer connections, and strategic planning tools to help business owners build stronger, more resilient operations. From that cohort, 100 participants are selected to receive the $20,000 grant. Eligible applicants must be the leading executive of a for-profit business registered and located in one of the fifty U.S. states, D.C., or Puerto Rico, be at least 18 years old (19 in Alabama and Nebraska), have generated at least $25,000 in revenue in the prior year, have a demonstrated need for funding and business coaching, and be willing to participate in the Boost Camp program. Businesses that participated in a Hello Alice Boost Camp in the prior 12 months are not eligible. Acceptance into the Boost Camp does not guarantee grant funding.

The Invest DSM Commercial Grant Program provides Des Moines commercial property owners and small businesses with matching grants of up to $50,000 to fund deferred maintenance, repairs, code compliance upgrades, and facade improvements. Administered by Invest DSM, a nonprofit partnership between the City of Des Moines and Polk County focused on revitalizing select Des Moines neighborhoods, the program is available to property owners and business owners (whether they own or lease their space) located within one of Invest DSM's designated Special Investment Districts. The grant operates as a dollar-for-dollar match covering half of project expenses up to $50,000 per retail bay, with an additional matching grant of up to $10,000 available to cover pre-development costs such as architectural drawings, project feasibility studies, environmental studies, and interior or window display design assistance. For external aesthetic improvements like signage, window displays, and facade work, applicants who collaborate with one of Invest DSM's artists on a custom design can receive 70 percent of those costs covered. Eligible uses include facade, signage, and awning updates, roof, window, and door replacement or repair, major systems and code compliance upgrades, public art such as murals, exterior site improvements like patios, concrete work, landscaping, and parking lot repaving, and energy-efficiency upgrades including solar and wind installation. Applicants must be current on all municipal and county dues, fees, and taxes. In addition to grant funds, recipients also receive one-on-one consultation, advice, and technical support from Invest DSM specialists throughout the entire project.

The Elevate Vernon Grant provides Vernon County, Wisconsin small businesses and entrepreneurs with up to $10,000 in funding to help start, grow, strengthen, or transition their operations. Administered by Vernon County's Community Development Department and originally launched as a pilot through a $150,000 award from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation's (WEDC) Small Business Development Grant Program, the program supports local business growth through both financial support and optional technical assistance for business skill development. Funds may be used for marketing, improvements to physical spaces, equipment and technology acquisition or upgrades, working capital (for new businesses only), and diversification and resilience projects. Awards are competitive and recipients must provide at least a 20% match or invest up to 20 hours in business skills enhancement.

The Job Development Investment Grant (JDIG) is a performance-based, discretionary incentive program that provides cash grants directly to a company, when the company creates jobs and invests in the state. Grants are awarded only in competitive recruitment or retention situations. JDIG grants hold companies to strict performance targets, but the grants can significantly help offset the cost of locating or expanding a facility in the state. JDIG grant payments are determined using a formula that takes into consideration the new taxes generated by the new jobs that are created. A percentage of those newly generated funds are reimbursed to the awarded company, for the limited term of the grant and as long as the company meets its performance target.