If you’re in Ohio and you’re looking for grant funding, you’re in a good place. The Buckeye State has many types of small business grants:
JobsOhio Inclusion grant
Provided by JobsOhio, a Columbus, Ohio-based private economic development corporation, the JobsOhio Inclusion grant offers businesses up to $50,000 to cover eligible costs such as machinery, equipment, buildings, new construction, land, technical improvements, and revitalization costs. Grants are shaped to support small to medium-sized businesses in distressed communities and organizations owned by minorities, women, veterans and those with disabilities. To qualify for funding, your business must have revenues of $100,000 to $25 million and have been trading for at least a year.
MORE: Find more grants for minorities, women, and black women.
Toledo City grant programs
The Toledo City Department of Economic Development provides grants for Toledo-based businesses. Key programs include:
Funding is available for property owners to comprehensively enhance the facade of their commercial, industrial, or mixed-use buildings. The grant reimburses 50% of eligible expenses incurred during a comprehensive facade improvement, (which is described as the principal face(s) of a building that is on a public street). The minimum reimbursement is $10,000 and the maximum is $40,000. Eligible buildings must be occupied by a business, have no active code violation citations, and be located in the City of Toledo.
The grant program is designed to incentivize property owners to bring vacant first-floor commercial spaces up to current codes to create a functional “white box” space ready for customization and occupancy by a business. The grant reimburses 70% of the eligible interior renovation expenses required to meet current state and local building code, fire safety code, and accessibility requirements, as demonstrated by stamped architectural or engineering drawings. The minimum reimbursement is $25,000 and the maximum is $75,000.
Cleveland Tech Delta Program
If you own a growing tech or medical business based in Clevland, Ohio, or you’re thinking of relocating there, the Tech Delta Program could work for you. The Department of Economic Development is offering grants on a square footage basis – $5 per sq. ft – up to $50,000. Funds are designed to support business infrastructure upgrades and make it easier for organizations to expand their operations. This grant can be a great alternative for businesses that do not qualify for standard ‘white box’ initiatives. To be eligible, your business must be a for-profit entity that’s moving to or expanding in Cleveland and that will create a minimum of five new full-time jobs in the process.
Building Facade & Sustainability grants for Oxford Businesses
The City of Oxford has created a new funding opportunity for businesses in Oxford that provides capital up to $2,500 or 50% of costs for projects that improve sustainability and/or building facades. The grant can be used for either facade improvements or for sustainability improvements.
Montgomery County ED/GE grant
Montgomery County’s ED/GE Program, is designed to benefit local companies that create and retain jobs by investing in their growth in Montgomery County. This competitive program distributes grant funds twice a year (spring and fall) to finance permanent improvement projects (new building construction, renovation, power upgrades, plumbing, parking, etc.)