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Business Funding & Technical Assistance Programs

Funding & Technical Assistance
Rural Technical Assistance Program
Offered by the Colorado Office of Economic Development & International Trade (OEDIT).
The Rural Technical Assistance Program (RTAP) is a series of technical assistance initiatives offered by the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) to enhance rural economic development strategies across the state. The program leverages state partnerships and specialized resources to foster community-driven economic diversification in interested regions throughout Colorado. Initiatives available: Creativity Lab of Colorado; Coworking 101; CRAFT Studio 201; Certified Small Business Community; Community Placemaking; Grow Your Outdoor Recreation Industry Initiative; Film Festival Infinitive. Deadline: June 30. More info contact: Danielle Lendriet
Regional Coordinator and Analyst, danielle.lendriet@state.co.us.
Main Street Redevelopment through Outdoor Recreation Initiatives  
Recreation Economy for Rural Communities is a new planning assistance program from the U.S. Forest Service, the Northern Border Regional Commission, and EPA to help communities develop strategies and an action plan to revitalize their Main Streets through outdoor recreation. Outdoor activities are increasingly popular across the United States. Communities can take advantage of this trend to revitalize Main Streets. By conserving forests and other natural lands and making them available for outdoor recreation, small towns can boost air quality and water quality and focus development downtown. Deadline: May 31, 2019. Click here to learn more and to apply.
Serve Colorado AmeriCorps State Planning Grant
Funding in support of community partnerships that will engage AmeriCorps members to meet state and local challenges through service and volunteer action. Deadline: May 17. For more information, visit theServe Colorado website  and click the 2019-2020 Planning Grant Request for Applications link under Funding Opportunities.
 
Rural Cooperative Development Grant Program
Offered by USDA Rural Development.   More info here. The program helps improve economic conditions in rural areas by helping individuals and businesses start, expand or improve rural cooperatives and other mutually-owned businesses. Nonprofit corporations and institutions of higher education are eligible to apply. Grants may be used to develop and operate a rural cooperative development center that could provide the following technical assistance and other services to rural businesses: Conducting feasibility studies; Developing business plans; and providing leadership and operational improvement training. Deadline: June 3.
 
Funding for Safe and Crime-free Communities
Department of Justice – The Community Policing Development Program supports projects that develop knowledge and increase awareness of effective community policing strategies, increase the skills and abilities of law enforcement and community partners, and increase the number of law enforcement agencies using proven community policing practices. The application deadline is May 28, 2019.
Rockies Venture Club HyperAccelerator Program
July 15th-27th | Application Window Closes June 1st! More info here
The HyperAccelerator is a unique program designed for companies who are seeking to become venture/angel capital ready. The program is mentor-driven and is based on a powerful combination of content and hands-on development of the key strategic elements that venture capital and angel investors are looking for. The HyperAccelerator strengthens companies by helping them to answer the hard questions that will come up in Due Diligence so that the company is able to clearly articulate its vision, value proposition and strategies. The program ends with a Demo Day for investors to have an opportunity to invest in the most promising companies. This version of the HyperAccelerator will focus around impact companies. Those companies that fall within the intersection of social, environmental, and economic development all all welcome to apply.
Household Water Well Systems Grant Program for Non-Profits
More info here. Provides grant funds to nonprofit organizations to initiate a relending program to private well owners who need financial assistance in repairing or replacing their existing wells. The program provides an important function in improving the lives of rural communities. Deadline: May 27, 2019.
USDA Funding to Spur Economic Development in Rural Communities
Deadline: June 5 – more info here
USDA Rural Development is accepting applications for grants to support economic development in rural communities. The grants are being made available through USDA’s Rural Community Development Initiative (RCDI) Program in order to strengthen the rural economy. Qualified intermediary organizations receiving RCDI grants will provide technical assistance and training to help nonprofit organizations and communities develop their capacity to undertake housing, community facility, or economic development projects. USDA also encourages applications that will support efforts to combat substance use disorders, including opioid misuse, in high-risk rural communities by strengthening their capacity to address prevention, treatment, and/or recovery needs.
Advanced Industries (AI) Export Accelerator Grant Program
Deadline: Rolling
Funding Available to offset international business development and marketing costs
These grants are for current and aspiring Colorado exporters in the Advanced Industries who are looking to offset international business development and marketing costs. Grants are available for up to $15,000 for eligible costs for small and medium-sized AI businesses in aerospace, infrastructure engineering, advanced manufacturing, energy and natural resources, bioscience, electronics, and technology and information.  Grants can be used to help cover the costs of trade missions and trade shows, translation services for a contract or official document, intellectual property protection, conducting due diligence or credit reviews on potential buyers or distributors, and production and design of international marketing materials. Grant applications are accepted on a rolling basis until funds are exhausted. First year grant applicants will be given preference during the application review process. Projects and/or activities must be finished by June 1, 2019. More info here.