Farmington Economic Revitalization Zone Webinar

Join this webinar to learn about the Economic Revitalization Zone (ERZ) program available to Farmington businesses that incentivizes economic development efforts. ERZs are zones created in a city or town with the purpose of stimulating economic redevelopment, expanding the commercial and industrial base, creating new jobs, reducing sprawl, and increasing tax revenues by encouraging economic revitalization.

Businesses located within a zone could qualify for business tax credits for projects that improve infrastructure (capital investment) and create new incremental jobs.

When: October 25, 5:30 pm

Where: Virtual

The FedEx Entrepreneur Fund ($10,000)

In partnership with Hello Alice and the Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN), FedEx has launched the second round of the FedEx® Entrepreneur Fund to support entrepreneurs in the US by providing them with $300,000 in grants and educational resources. This program is designed to offer entrepreneurs the necessary funding, resources, and networks to enhance the success of their businesses.

Through the FedEx® Entrepreneur Fund, thirty (30) grants of $10,000 each will be awarded to entrepreneurs who have a connection to the military and/or entrepreneurs with disabilities.

Deadline: Wednesday, October 6 at 6 pm.

Small Business Growth Fund ($5,000 - $25,000)

The Small Business Growth Fund is back for the third and final round of 2023! In partnership with the Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN) and with funding from Etsy and Progressive, the Small Business Growth Fund provides small business owners the capital they need to make their next move. Recipients will receive $5,000-$25,000 grants to help accelerate their growth and achieve their goals.

Deadline: Friday, October 27 at 6 pm.

18th Annual Halstead Grant ($7,500)



The Halstead Grant is an annual award for emerging silver jewelry artists. Applicants must submit answers to 15 business questions in addition to their design portfolios. The experience is designed to help jewelry entrepreneurs create a strategy to kick-start their careers. The grand prize is a $7,500 cash grant plus a $1,000 Halstead gift card. Four finalists will also each receive a $1,000 cash grant plus a $250 Halstead gift card.

Deadline: May 1, 2024.

2023 WomensNet Grants (Up To $35,000)

Women business owners can get up to $35,000 in grants from WomensNet in 2023. This organization offers a variety of grants, including:

• A $10,000 Amber Grant every month to a woman entrepreneur
• An additional annual $25,000 Amber Grant to one of the preceding 12 monthly Amber Grant winners
• A $10,000 grant every month to a “Business Category” entrepreneur. The categories for the upcoming months include:

Creative Arts (October)

Technology (November)

Fashion & Interior Designers (December)

• One of the monthly “Business Category” grant recipients will also receive an additional $25,000 Year End Grant

There is a one-time $15 application fee. Only one application is required to be eligible for multiple grants.

Grants available for NH Non-profit Historical Preservation Projects ($2,000 - $10,000)

The NH Preservation Alliance and the 1772 Foundation have announced that 1:1 matching grants of up to $10,000 are available for historic preservation projects. This organization works to strengthen communities and stimulate local economies by encouraging the protection and revival of historic buildings and places.

Grants over the last three years have supported 58 rehabilitation and restoration projects for a variety of community landmark buildings throughout the state.

Eligible projects include: exterior painting, finishes and surface restoration; upgrades to/installation of fire detection; lightning protection and security systems; repairs to/restoration of porches, roofs and windows; structural foundation and sill repair/replacement and chimney and masonry repointing. 

The first step in the process is to submit a Letter of Intent.

LOI Deadline: December 1, 2023

Applications Now Open for 2024/25 Non-profit Incubator Program

GoodWork is pleased to announce that it is accepting applications for its Non-profit Incubator Program. GoodWork provides customized, strategic support to idea phase, early-stage, and start-up non-profit organizations. Visit their website for complete information about eligibility and the application process. Be sure to review the GoodWork Incubator Overview and the GoodWork Incubator Program Schedule to ensure your organization meets the eligibility criteria and you are able to attend each program day.

A virtual information and Q&A session is scheduled for Tuesday, October 3 at 1 pm. You can register here.

Deadline: Monday, October 30.

Start or Expand Your Business with the Help of a Makerspace

Port City Makerspace is a community workshop that provides tools, knowledge, and a collaborative culture to encourage the artist and maker in everyone. They have shop spaces dedicated to woodworking, metalworking, automotive and bicycles, electronics and 3D printing, and a classroom space that can be used for many more types of projects. Anyone can become a member regardless of experience!

At this non-profit organization, members can work both independently and collaboratively to research ideas, develop projects, and put their heads and hands to good use.

Location: Portsmouth, NH

Fees: A $50/month membership gets you access to the shop during business hours; an $80/month membership gets you access to the shop 24/7.

Tri-Chamber Community Expo & Job Fair

The Dover, Rochester, and Somersworth Chambers of Commerce are presenting a Tri-Chamber Community Expo & Job Fair. This event is a job/career fair and hiring event that will offer employers an opportunity to showcase their business and meet potential candidates for existing or future job openings. Job seekers can learn about the job openings that are available in the area and meet potential employers.

When: Wednesday, October 25 from 4:00 to 6:00 pm.

Where: James W. Foley Memorial Community Center, 150 Wakefield Street, Rochester NH 03867.

NH SBDC’s 2023 Resiliency Academy for Businesses and Communities

Take a deeper dive into three specific areas of resiliency: Cybersecurity, Sustainability, and Inclusivity. At SBDC's 2023 Resiliency Academy, you will learn how these issues are affecting your bottom line, brand image, and ability to attract and retain workers, and how to protect your organization from unplanned disruptions. Each session will have expert guest speakers, interactive exercises, resources to take home, and networking. Resiliency Academy brings together small businesses, non-profits, and community leaders working toward a resilient future. 

The Academy is free to attend and lunch is included, but registration is required. You can attend one, two, or all three sessions. 

Cybersecurity Day: Tuesday, October 24, 8:30 am - 3:00 pm, Portsmouth.

Inclusivity Day: Wednesday, November 8, 8:30 am - 3:00 pm, Manchester.

Sustainability Day: Thursday, December 7, 8:30 am - 2:00 pm, Durham.

ApprenticeshipNH and White Mountain Paper Launch Electrical and Electronics Repairers Apprenticeship

ApprenticeshipNH, a workforce program of the Community College System of New Hampshire, has partnered with White Mountain Paper to launch an Electrical and Electronics Repairers Registered Apprenticeship program. This program is designed to generate a skilled workforce that can keep this specific machinery operating at an optimal level. Using ApprenticeshipNH’s “Earn While You Learn” model, apprentices will earn pay while being trained and mentored at one of the country’s oldest paper mills.

For Employers: Grow Your Workforce and Train the Next Generation

If you’re looking to build a team of skilled workers who meet your expectations, consider Registered Apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs. These programs offer direct hands-on training from you, while technical training is provided by the Community College System of NH. Your apprentice will work closely with a mentor within your company, gaining valuable knowledge and building relationships to enhance your company’s culture.

The ApprenticeshipNH team can help you develop a customized Registered Apprenticeship program that fits your needs. They have the expertise and financial resources to guide you through the registration process and even help with the recruitment and screening of potential apprentices. Plus, they can connect you to resources in NH that can help fund the cost of on-the-job learning and related instruction.

Voice Z Digital: Work With UNH Students to Help Fulfill Your Business's Marketing Needs

Voice Z Digital is made up entirely of University of New Hampshire students. This student-run digital marketing agency offers innovative solutions to their clients’ most pressing marketing needs. Working with an array of New England clients enables students to apply their skills to real-world problems and provides small and medium-sized businesses with the services and personalized attention that they would get at a fully staffed marketing agency.

Services include: Digital Presence Audits, Social Content

Management, Search Engine Optimization, Photography, Videography, and more.

Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Applications Now Being Accepted

The Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses is a free grant-funded program provided through the Goldman Sachs Foundation, a non-profit organization. There is never any cost for business owners who are accepted into the program.

Through this multi-week program with a curriculum designed by Babson College, business owners work with experienced faculty and business advisors to acquire advanced business skills and design an actionable business growth plan. The program is delivered through a hybrid model, with only two weeks required on-site at Manchester Community College. The grant also provides accommodations and meals for the required onsite days.

Program alumni also receive ongoing no-cost networking and educational opportunities through the 10KSB Alumni Program.

To qualify for the program, you must:

• Have the equivalent of at least 2 full-time employees (including the business owner)
• Be in business for two or more years
• Gross at least $75,000 in the previous year
• Want to grow your business

This program is available to businesses from all industries and regions of the state of New Hampshire.



Deadline: The deadline for the Spring 2024 cohort is Friday, November 17, 2023.

The Very Merry Holiday Gift Festival Currently Accepting Vendors

This event, formerly known as the Made in New England Expo, features unique gifts, specialty food items, and other products from all over New England. In addition, activities include sampling of beer, wine and spirits, exhibitor demos, holiday entertainment, visits with rescue animals, a kids-only holiday shopping area, and more!

When: December 9 and 10

Where: The DoubleTree by Hilton Expo Center, Manchester

Upcoming Deadlines for Previously Shared Resources

For Non-profits - Louder Than Words Grants (Up to $10,000)

The Finish Line Youth Foundation is awarding grants of up to $10,000 to organizations that make a difference in diverse and underserved communities throughout 2023. The upcoming grant cycle will be focused on “Safe Communities." Projects that qualify for funding include:

• Programming or activities for participation in programs that emphasize public safety, building trust between communities and police, and/or reforming the criminal justice system
• Improvements and/or renovations to existing buildings, grounds, and property or for new facilities and/or grounds
• Emergency needs that would somehow be keeping the organization from providing current services such as natural disasters or other unforeseen circumstances that require special funding to help

Application Period: September 1 - October 15, 2023.

For Non-profits - The Madelaine G. von Weber Trust Grants

The Trust funds charitable projects throughout New Hampshire that will have a lasting effect on the state and its residents. Applicants for this grant should demonstrate good governance, a sustainable program, strong community/board of trustees' support, a track record of valuable service to the community, and a compelling rationale for why the requested funds are needed. To learn more about what proposals have been funded in the past, visit this link.



Eligibility: 

• Must be a New Hampshire-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization
• Areas of interest include Environmental and Conservation Initiatives, Music and the Arts, and Social Services

Deadline: Sunday, October 15, 2023.

Do you have questions about resources, funding opportunities, or any other business-related support? What content would you like to see in our newsletter? Do you know of any resources that could be helpful to other business owners? Please reach out!

Furthermore, we can offer assistance or connect you with one of our many small business partners, including: 

Sincerely,

Natalie Gemma

Senior Regional Planner

Economic Development and Land Use Programs

nmoles@strafford.org

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