If you run or manage a business in North Carolina, grants and funding options can provide the financial support needed to grow your business, adopt new technologies, and stay competitive in the North Carolina economy. Business grants offer an attractive alternative to traditional loans, providing much-needed capital. At American Funding Group, we help businesses across The Tar Heel State obtain these valuable grants, enabling innovation, growth, and success.
North Carolina business grants provide many advantages, including:
Access to Capital: Grants provide essential capital that can be used for various projects, including marketing, hiring, purchasing equipment, and expanding facilities. This financial boost can be a game-changer if you are looking to scale your small businesses.
No Repayment Required: Unlike loans, grants do not need to be repaid. This means your business can use the funds without worrying about interest rates or debt accumulation. You can free up your time and energy to focus on growth and development.
Economic Development: Grants often aim to stimulate local economies by supporting businesses that create jobs and contribute to community well-being. By securing a grant, your business can be a part of regional development initiatives in your North Carolina community.
Recognition and Credibility: Receiving a grant can enhance your business's reputation, signaling to customers, employers, and partners that the company is credible and worthy of support.
North Carolina's economy is thriving, as the Tar Heel State has emerged as a premier destination for businesses, attracting significant investments and creating thousands of jobs. With a strong emphasis on advanced manufacturing, North Carolina is home to leading sectors such as aerospace, automotive, biotechnology, and information technology. The state's commitment to innovation is evident in regions like the Research Triangle Park, where high-tech companies and research institutions flourish. CNBC has named North Carolina as America’s Top State for Business. North Carolina ranked #1 in workforce and highly in the economy, technology and innovation, and access to capital categories. North Carolina ranks 11th in economy size among states and Washington, DC.
North Carolina businesses have access to a wide range of grant opportunities, for various industries and business types. At American Funding Group, we help businesses across all sectors navigate the grant application process. Here are some examples of businesses that can qualify for grants:
Construction Firms: Construction activity accounts for $28.7 billion, or 4.38%, of North Carolina's gross domestic product (GDP) of $655 billion. By leveraging construction business grant opportunities, construction businesses in North Carolina can address challenges, drive innovation, and contribute to the state's economic growth and development.
Trucking and Logistics Businesses: From 2022 to 2050, freight moved by trucks in North Carolina is expected to increase 64% by weight and 97% by value, outpacing national growth rates. With an industry size of $2.4 Billion, trucking businesses in North Carolina are encouraged to apply for specialized business grants; funding can provide essential financial support for operations, equipment upgrades, and technology improvements, helping to offset costs for new trucks, eco-friendly practices, and enhanced safety measures.
Restaurants: North Carolina is home to 23,471 restaurant locations, accounting for over 500,000 jobs - 11% of all jobs in the state. Business grants for North Carolina restaurant owners can be used for purchasing kitchen equipment, hiring and training staff, improving dining spaces, or implementing health and safety measures.
Cleaning and Janitorial Businesses: According to IBISWorld, the janitorial industry in North Carolina is valued at $2.6 Billion. The janitorial industry, employing over 72,000 people in North Carolina, is predominantly a small business industry, and as such, business grants can provide the necessary capital to invest in new equipment, expand their workforce, and adopt the latest cleaning technologies, including eco-friendly practices.
Startup: North Carolina's startup ecosystem is thriving, offering a robust environment for entrepreneurs and innovative businesses. The state boasts over 600 startup companies in Raleigh alone, spanning diverse sectors such as software, life sciences, consumer products, design-media, and the Internet of Things.
Childcare: Compared to the national average, North Carolina has one of the highest rates of working mothers with young children; thus, making the need for child care one of the state's top priorities. Over 200,000 children spend part or all of their day in regulated child care arrangements. If you own or operate a childcare facility in North Carolina, a business grant could help with marketing, facility improvements, staff training, curriculum development, purchasing equipment or educational materials, and more.
Nonprofit organizations: The IRS lists 58,817 active tax-exempt organizations operating in North Carolina. North Carolina has a variety of grant opportunities for nonprofit organizations across different sectors. Nonprofit organizations can use nonprofit grants to fund operational expenses, implement new programs or services, upgrade equipment and facilities, hire staff, conduct research, or expand their reach and impact within their communities.
Businesses in North Carolina have access to many specialized grants and opportunities. These are just a few of the initiatives that offer business grants:
Golden Leaf Foundation Open Grants Program: Provides grants ranging from $200,000 to $500,000 to nonprofits for job creation, economic investment, and workforce preparedness.
The Big Investment Grant: Offered by the City of Raleigh, this program provides cash grants to new and existing businesses that will provide economic benefits to the city.
One NC Small Business Program: Consists of two programs - the SBIR/STTR Phase I Incentive Funds Program and the SBIR/STTR Phase I Matching Funds Program, supporting small businesses in technology innovation.
NC Workforce Grants: Various programs focusing on customized training, on-the-job training, and workforce assistance. The Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) can provide $1,200 to $9,600 per eligible employee.
Lowe’s Western North Carolina Small Business Recovery Fund: Lowe's and LISC have partnered to offer $2 million in grants to small businesses in Western North Carolina affected by Hurricane Helene.
On-The-Job Training (OJT) Program: a pathway for unemployed workers seeking employment and for employers seeking workers. It offers the unique opportunity to offset initial training costs to fill skilled positions while building organizational productivity as the employee learns job requirements. Participating employers can receive reimbursements ranging from 50% to 75% of a trainee’s wages.
Programa Empresarial Latino: Managed by the Carolina Small Business Development Fund, this program offers bilingual business assistance, access to capital, and technical support tailored to Latino entrepreneurs in North Carolina.
Numerous foundations and non-profit organizations offer grants to minority entrepreneurs in North Carolina. These include grants for:
If you search “How to qualify for a business grant,” you may find that the requirements range widely. At American Funding Group, we have streamlined the requirements to create a straightforward application process for you:
Business grants are available for businesses from every county in North Carolina. Some grants are county-specific, and aligned with the goals of local communities and economic development. Other grants are available regardless of the county in which your business is located. We have helped clients from all over the Tar Heel State apply for grants and obtain funding:
Alamance County
Alexander County
Alleghany County
Anson County
Ashe County
Avery County
Beaufort County
Bertie County
Bladen County
Brunswick County
Buncombe County
Burke County
Cabarrus County
Caldwell County
Camden County
Carteret County
Caswell County
Catawba County
Chatham County
Cherokee County
Chowan County
Clay County
Cleveland County
Columbus County
Craven County
Cumberland County
Currituck County
Dare County
Davidson County
Davie County
Duplin County
Durham County
Edgecombe County
Forsyth County
Franklin County
Gaston County
Gates County
Graham County
Granville County
Greene County
Guilford County
Halifax County
Harnett County
Haywood County
Henderson County
Hertford County
Hoke County
Hyde County
Iredell County
Jackson County
Johnston County
Jones County
Lee County
Lenoir County
Lincoln County
Macon County
Madison County
Martin County
McDowell County
Mecklenburg County
Mitchell County
Montgomery County
Moore County
Nash County
New Hanover County
Northampton County
Onslow County
Orange County
Pamlico County
Pasquotank County
Pender County
Perquimans County
Person County
Pitt County
Polk County
Randolph County
Richmond County
Robeson County
Rockingham County
Rowan County
Rutherford County
Sampson County
Scotland County
Stanly County
Stokes County
Surry County
Swain County
Transylvania County
Tyrrell County
Union County
Vance County
Wake County
Warren County
Washington County
Watauga County
Wayne County
Wilkes County
Wilson County
Yadkin County
Yancey County
These are just some of the counties we serve, ensuring that businesses throughout North Carolina have access to grant opportunities.
Navigating the world of grant applications can be complicated, especially for busy business owners who juggle multiple roles and responsibilities. At American Funding Group, we specialize in helping businesses identify and secure the grants they need. Here's how we support businesses through the process:
✓ You fill out a single application form on our website.
✓ Our system searches 7,000 grants
✓ Auto-apply for grants every month with our portal
✓ Grants are provided and distributed by private and federally-funded institutions listed on:
https://a4cb.org/services/grants
https://www.decaturedc.com/b2b
✓ The average approval rate for obtaining a grant is 30% to 40%.
✓ Once your grant is approved, it may take the grantor who approved it 30 to 90 days to distribute the funds to you.
Grants offer a unique and valuable opportunity for North Carolina businesses to access the funding they need to grow and succeed. Whether you're launching a business, expanding an existing business, or are a minority entrepreneur seeking targeted support, there are numerous grant programs available to help you achieve your goals. At American Funding Group, we simplify the grant application process for you, to help you secure funding and drive your business forward. Tap into your business's potential with American Funding Group and take the first step to apply for a business grant today.
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