How to Find State Grant Money Available to Start a Business

Although there are no direct small business grants available from the federal government, many state development agencies offer direct small business grants and other types of financial aid meant to encourage and help entrepreneurs in starting or expanding a small business. Here's what you need to know to get started.

Instructions

1. Go to the economic development agency websites of each state. Here is a list of links:

   Alabama
   No grants found.

   Alaska
   http://www.commerce.state.ak.us/oed/smallbus/home.cfm

   Arizona
   http://www.azcommerce.com/BusAsst/Technology/AZFAST.htm
   http://www.azcommerce.com/BusAsst/Technology/techprograms.htm

   Arkansas
   http://arkansasedc.com/business-development/small-and-minority-businesses.aspx

   California
   http://www.calbusiness.ca.gov/cedpgybfafedg.asp

   Colorado
   http://www.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite/OEDIT/OEDIT/1165009699726

   Connecticut
   http://www.ct.gov/ecd/cwp/view.asp?a=1097&q=253520&ecdNav=|

   Delaware
   http://dedo.delaware.gov/Entrepreneurs.shtml

   Florida
   http://www.eflorida.com/ContentSubpage.aspx?id=428

   Georgia
   http://www.georgia.org/BusinessInGeorgia/SmallBusiness/BusinessResources/Resources/Pages/Funding.aspx

   Hawaii
   http://hawaii.gov/dbedt/business/find_financing/small-business-grant

   Idaho
   None listed.

   Illinois
   http://business.illinois.gov/assistance.cfm

   Iowa
   No grants available.

   Kansas
   http://www.kansasgrants.org/

   Kentucky
   http://www.thinkkentucky.com/SMBD/Funding.aspx

   Louisiana
   http://www.louisianaeconomicdevelopment.com/opportunities/incentives--programs/program-finder.aspx

   Maine
   http://www.mainebiz.org/business_assistance/financing.asp

   Maryland
   http://www.choosemaryland.org/businessservices/businessfinancing/page5986.html

   Massachusetts
   http://www.msbdc.org/

   Michigan
   http://www.michiganadvantage.org/Expand-Your-Business/Funding-Incentives/Default.aspx

   Minnesota
   http://www.positivelyminnesota.com/

   Mississippi
   http://www.mississippi.org/index.php?id=100

   Missouri
   http://www.missouribusiness.net/sbtdc/library/finance.asp

   Montana
   http://www.mtfinanceonline.com/busfin.asp

   Nebraska
   http://www.neded.org/content/view/449/725/

   Nevada
   http://www.state.nv.us/b&i/download/docindex.htm#obfp

   New Hampshire
   http://www.nheconomy.com/business-services/business-assistance-programs/

   New Jersey
   http://www.njeda.com/web/Aspx_pg/Templates/Pic_Text.aspx?Doc_Id=91&topid=718&midid=732

   New Mexico
   http://www.edd.state.nm.us/businessAssistance/financialAssistance/index.html

   New York
   http://www.nylovessmallbusiness.com/starting/financin.htm

   North Carolina
   http://www.nccommerce.com/en/BusinessServices/LocateYourBusiness/WhyNC/Incentives/index.htm
   http://www.nccommerce.com/en/BusinessServices/LocateYourBusiness/WhyNC/Incentives/Job+Development%20and%20Investment%20Grant/

   North Dakota
   http://www.business.nd.gov/businessInformation/financing-investments/

   Ohio
   http://business.ohio.gov/growing/#fai

   Oklahoma
   http://www.okcommerce.gov/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=12&Itemid=36

   Oregon
   http://www.oregon4biz.com/Grow-Your-Business/

   Pennsylvania
   http://www.newpa.com/find-and-apply-for-funding/funding-and-program-finder/index.aspx

   Rhode Island
   http://www.riedc.com/business-services/financing

   South Carolina
   http://www.sccommerce.com/businessservices/financialservices.aspx

   South Dakota
   http://www.sdreadytowork.com/fi/

   Tennessee
   http://treasury.tn.gov/smob/

   Texas
   http://www.texasonline.state.tx.us/tolapp/egrants/search.htm

   Utah
   http://www.utahfundoffunds.com/

   Vermont
   http://economicdevelopment.vermont.gov/Resources/Funding/tabid/111/Default.aspx

   Virginia
   http://www.dba.virginia.gov/financing_business.shtml

   Washington
   None listed.

   West Virginia
   http://www.vfinance.com/

   Wyoming
   http://www.wyomingbusiness.org/financial/financial_resources.aspx

2. Find small business grant programs in your state under "grants" on each page listed above.

3. Locate incentives such as subsidized rates on SBA loans, tax breaks and participation in business "incubator" programs on each state page listed in Step 1.

References

• How to Find Free Grant Money to Start a Business
• Federal Grants