Free Money For Small Business Expansion and Start Up
I know–”There’s no such thing as a free lunch.” “If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.” The eternally cynical, “glass is half empty crowd” have some pretty catchy slogans. But the truth of the matter is, there are some really good things available to small businesses that don’t cost a thing. That may sound foreign to some of you, but all 50 states have money for economic development they are anxious to give away to promote the growth of small business in their state. They do it by providing grants and other resources to small businesses which are either expanding or starting up in their state.
Just to prove to you that sometimes something that seems to good to be true is really true, I am providing you with links to the web stes in each state that can either give you the information directly, or lead you to it elsewhere in their web site. Take a few minutes and look up the state where your business resides, or where you are looking to start up a business. See what money and other resources may be available to you. It may be alot. It may be only a little. There are many variables as to what kind of help is available and where in each state. But, its all free and yours for the claiming. So check it out–
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Having provided all of this information, there are a few tips that wll help you understand the ins and outs of the state grant application process in each state. Of course, each state is different. But Darrell Zahorskey wrote an excellent article for About.com entitled “The Truth About Small Business Grants.” For your benefit, I provide excerpts of it below:
If you do find a small business grant program available for your business, be ready to go through a lengthy, approval process. With funding cutbacks and high competition be prepared with the following grant tips:
Small Business Grant Tips
Provide complete and accurate information in the application. An incomplete application may not make the review process or can add delay to approving your grant.
Get to know your grant officer and their constraints, budget and concerns with approving your grant.
Stand out among the crowd with a well-prepared business plan if required. Demonstrate your understanding of the business. Show how the money will bring the benefit the government agency wants.
Bring in outside experts if necessary. An accountant or consultant can add credibility to your application process.
Keep in touch. Make regular contact with the grant office in a professional, non-intrusive manner.
As Mr. Zahorskey points out elsewhere in his article, going through the process of loan approval is not a casual process that you can do successfully with half hearted efforts. You must be willing to spend some time. You really need to spend some money on the front end on a good consulting firm which can show you the ropes of grant requests and even make the grant proposal for you. In fact, there are so many different types of programs available, it wouldn’t hurt to retain a good consulting firm on a semi permanent basis for the sole purpose of researching and pursuing grants for your business. If the consultant is worth his salt, he will pay for himself several time over in the course of a year. That way, you can be free to run your business while knowing all bases are being covered for you to receive every penny and free resource available to your business at the same time.
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