Photo by Binyamin Mellish on Pexel
Idaho manufacturing and food processing companies can tap into various manufacturing grants and resources to grow and expand their business. Many of these grants are also available for small businesses and companies in other industries.
Idaho Grants and Manufacturing Resources
Idaho Trade Expansion Program (STEP Grant) – Administered by Idaho Commerce, the grant program matches company funds for export promotion activities, including state-led industry trade shows, e-commerce, digital marketing, and other international trade activities.
Workforce development training funds – The Idaho Workforce Development Training Fund funds worker training for employers growing or retaining their current workforce. Workforce grants are available for Idaho manufacturing, food processing, and related companies.
TechHelp – TechHelp helps Idaho manufacturers, food processors, and manufacturing-related industries with experts in operational improvement, new product development and marketing, food manufacturing excellence, and other services.
Federal Grants and Assistance
SBIR and STTR – Idaho Commerce has a good article on how high-tech manufacturing companies can access competitive SBIR and STTR funding to fund research and development.
USDA rural development programs – USDA rural development supports rural communities across America with various competitive grant programs. Some grants that are focused on the manufacturing and food processing industries:
- Rural Business Development Grant supports the expansion and growth of rural businesses and industries. TechHelp’s regional specialists can help manufacturing companies determine eligibility and create a competitive application.
- Energy programs – Multiple programs support energy conservation, energy audits, installation of renewable energy, and energy efficiency projects in rural areas.
We are saving one of our favorite assistance programs (not a grant) for last. The Trade Adjustment Assistance for Firms program is available to manufacturing, agriculture, wood products, seafood, and other traded sector companies nationwide facing import competition. Companies that have seen a decline in sales or employment may be eligible for federal matching funds up to $75,000. The funds pay for marketing, manufacturing, quality assurance, technology, finance, management, and other projects. Companies pick the projects (yes, multiple projects) and the outside experts they want to work with. For example, a manufacturer who sells to consumers could pay for a new website and prototype and label a new product. A fruit processor could use the funding to implement further food safety training and a cybersecurity project. Manufacturing companies across the Northwest have used trade adjustment assistance to drastically improve their sales, employment, and productivity.
Want to learn about more resources? TechHelp maintains an extensive resource list of funding programs, innovation resources, and consulting support for the Idaho manufacturing and food processing industries.