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Funding Opportunities

Filter and sort active funding sources to find programs that meet your community's needs. This page focuses on opportunities available to local governments, with occasional listings for related programs when a local government is a required partner or when participation may support local recovery efforts.

All information is provided as a starting point; users should verify eligibility, deadlines, and requirements directly with the administering agency.

Small Business Infrastructure Grant Program

Opportunuty Url:
https://www.commerce.nc.gov/grants-...
Federal / State / Local / Private:
State
Disaster specific?:
Yes
Current Status:
Open
One time or recurring opportunity?:
One time
Responsible Organization:
NC Department of Commerce
Contact info:
Hazel Edmond, Director Rural Engagement & Investment Rural Economic Development Division 984-297-5082 (Mobile) hazel.edmond@commerce.nc.gov
Assistance Type:
Grant
Application Link:
https://nccommercedws.my.site.com/r...
Application Criteria:
Budget Certified Cost Estimates Local Government Resolution Preliminary Engineering Report List of Small Businesses Project Timeline NCUI101 Forms Executed Local Government Certifications Document Historic Preservation Documentation Photos
Rolling/ Fixed Deadline:
Rolling
Award announcement dates:
  • February 28, 2026
  • June 30, 2026
Period of Performance :
36 months from date of award
Who's Eligible?:
  • City
  • County
Who is not eligible?:
Nonprofits
Additional detail on uses:
Infrastructure projects that will target and support small businesses that employ 150 or fewer employees and that were adversely impacted by Hurricane Helene. Qualifying infrastructure must serve one or more businesses within the Affected Area, must have been damaged by Hurricane Helene. Infrastructure must be owned and maintained by the city or county (not the small business). Infrastructure may include but will not be limited to the following activities:
  • water;
  • sewer;
  • gas;
  • telecommunications;
  • high-speed broadband;
  • electric utility; and
  • sidewalk and curb infrastructure.
Eligible expenses may also include planning, material, labor, and administration to complete public infrastructure improvements.
Prohibited Uses:
Ineligible expenses include:
  • Improvements to privately owned infrastructure;
  • projects that address building construction; and
  • land acquisition costs or fees.
No cost incurred prior to award are eligible for reimbursement.
Award Mechanism:
Competitive
Award Minimum:
None
Award Maximum:
$1M per grantee. No more than 10% of total funds to a single county.
Total funding available:
$55 million
Match/Cost Share:
Yes
Payment Mechanism:
Other
Award Selection Criteria:
Special consideration to Teir 1 & 2 counties.
Specific Compliance Requirements:
Semi-annual reports. Submit Local Government Certifications Document to certify that the information attached and included in the application are true, correct, and complete.Submit list of businesses involved with a Small Business Infrastructure Grantfor each small business involved with the project.
Procurement:
State law procurement
Resources, Pro Tips, Trainings
Pro Tip:
Applicants may request that up to twenty percent (20%) of the total grant award be issued in advance without providing proof of payment by providing specific information and documentation to the Department. Applicants may also request that the full one and a half percent (1.5%) of allowable costs for administration be issued in advance. All remaining funds not issued in advance will be distributed to the local government on a reimbursement basis as the local government incurs expenses and submits eligible invoices and proof of payment.
Trainings
Funding Resources
Form for Listing Small Businesses | Small Business Infrastructure Grant Program Visit
Guidelines | Small Business Infrastructure Grant Program Visit
Local Government Certification | Small Business Infrastructure Grant Program Visit
Sample Local Government Resolution | Small Business Infrastructure Grant Program Visit