By : Mary McArthur
Source : http://www.crbizjournal.com
Category : Small Business Grant
Although the federal government has greatly tightened its purse strings, there are still some grant funding opportunities available for northwestern Oregon businesses.
Applying for these funds is not for the faint-hearted, to be sure, but well-qualified businesses – with well-thought out projects – can be successful.
• The U.S. Economic Development Administration Trade Adjustment Assistance for Firms (TAAF) program is designed to assist U.S. manufacturers that are impacted by imports. Up to $75,000 in matching federal grants is available for Oregon manufacturers that qualify for the TAAF program.
To qualify, a company must demonstrate that its business has been negatively impacted by foreign competition. TAAF helps American companies become more competitive when faced with import competition in their markets.
To be eligible for funding, a company must be document that it:
1. Has been in business for at least 2 years
2. Has had declining sales or production
3. Has declining, or expects to have declining, employment
4. And is experiencing competition from imports.
Eligible companies can use the funds for such projects as marketing, lean manufacturing, quality-control certification, product or facility design, export assistance, website development and numerous others. However, funding cannot be used to purchase assets, such as equipment.
One big benefit of this program is that the Northwest Center for Trade Adjustment Assistance for Firms is available to write the grant application for an eligible company – at no cost!
Check out the website nwtaac.org for more information. Or contact Patrick Meuleman, Northwest Trade Adjustment Assistance Center client development manager, at Patrick@nwtaac.org or by phone at 208-343-6855.
• Another source of funds is Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) Grants for Rural Business Energy Efficiency Projects. Examples of eligible projects include energy efficient lighting, heating, cooling, insulation and pump improvements.
The REAP program provides up to 25 percent of the cost of making the energy efficiency improvements. The minimum grant size is $1,500. The maximum allowable is $250,000. Grant requests of $20,000 or less are strongly favored.
Assistance is limited to small businesses located in rural areas. Almost all businesses in northwestern Oregon would qualify, as the USDA defines a small business as having fewer than 500 employees and less than $6.5 million in annual revenue.
Preference is given to businesses with fewer than 15 employees and less than $1 million in annual revenue.
Businesses must demonstrate financial need for the grant assistance. Nonprofits and public projects are not eligible.
REAP applications are accepted year-round. The application deadline for FY2012 funding has not been announced, but is likely to be in June.
If interested, applicants are encouraged to start the application process right away. For more information, go to the USDA REAP website at rurdev.usda.gov/ORreap.html and click on the REAP Energy Efficiency Grants Overview link listed. The USDA REAP contact for northwestern Oregon is John Holman at 503-414-3369 or john.holman@usda.gov.
(The Clatsop-Pacific Economic Development District provides business development services – including nontraditional business financing, commercial and industrial lands marketing, and industry planning – in an area covering western Washington and Clatsop, Tillamook and Columbia counties in Oregon.)
Source : http://www.crbizjournal.com/voices/article_892d9980-632a-11e1-aa08-0019bb2963f4.html
Source : http://www.crbizjournal.com
Category : Small Business Grant
Although the federal government has greatly tightened its purse strings, there are still some grant funding opportunities available for northwestern Oregon businesses.
Applying for these funds is not for the faint-hearted, to be sure, but well-qualified businesses – with well-thought out projects – can be successful.
• The U.S. Economic Development Administration Trade Adjustment Assistance for Firms (TAAF) program is designed to assist U.S. manufacturers that are impacted by imports. Up to $75,000 in matching federal grants is available for Oregon manufacturers that qualify for the TAAF program.
To qualify, a company must demonstrate that its business has been negatively impacted by foreign competition. TAAF helps American companies become more competitive when faced with import competition in their markets.
To be eligible for funding, a company must be document that it:
1. Has been in business for at least 2 years
2. Has had declining sales or production
3. Has declining, or expects to have declining, employment
4. And is experiencing competition from imports.
Eligible companies can use the funds for such projects as marketing, lean manufacturing, quality-control certification, product or facility design, export assistance, website development and numerous others. However, funding cannot be used to purchase assets, such as equipment.
One big benefit of this program is that the Northwest Center for Trade Adjustment Assistance for Firms is available to write the grant application for an eligible company – at no cost!
Check out the website nwtaac.org for more information. Or contact Patrick Meuleman, Northwest Trade Adjustment Assistance Center client development manager, at Patrick@nwtaac.org or by phone at 208-343-6855.
• Another source of funds is Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) Grants for Rural Business Energy Efficiency Projects. Examples of eligible projects include energy efficient lighting, heating, cooling, insulation and pump improvements.
The REAP program provides up to 25 percent of the cost of making the energy efficiency improvements. The minimum grant size is $1,500. The maximum allowable is $250,000. Grant requests of $20,000 or less are strongly favored.
Assistance is limited to small businesses located in rural areas. Almost all businesses in northwestern Oregon would qualify, as the USDA defines a small business as having fewer than 500 employees and less than $6.5 million in annual revenue.
Preference is given to businesses with fewer than 15 employees and less than $1 million in annual revenue.
Businesses must demonstrate financial need for the grant assistance. Nonprofits and public projects are not eligible.
REAP applications are accepted year-round. The application deadline for FY2012 funding has not been announced, but is likely to be in June.
If interested, applicants are encouraged to start the application process right away. For more information, go to the USDA REAP website at rurdev.usda.gov/ORreap.html and click on the REAP Energy Efficiency Grants Overview link listed. The USDA REAP contact for northwestern Oregon is John Holman at 503-414-3369 or john.holman@usda.gov.
(The Clatsop-Pacific Economic Development District provides business development services – including nontraditional business financing, commercial and industrial lands marketing, and industry planning – in an area covering western Washington and Clatsop, Tillamook and Columbia counties in Oregon.)
Source : http://www.crbizjournal.com/voices/article_892d9980-632a-11e1-aa08-0019bb2963f4.html
