Small Business Resources
Kentucky Small Business Tax Credit
If your small business has hired at least one new full-time position and invested in qualifying equipment, you could be eligible for a tax credit.
Export Grants
Through the Kentucky Export Initiative, small businesses can receive STEP grant funding for export-related activities each year.
Kentucky Small Business Credit Initiative
This federally funded lending support program helps lenders finance creditworthy small businesses that would typically fall just outside of their normal lending guidelines.
Small Business Loans
Small business engaged in manufacturing, agribusiness, or service and technology may be eligible for loans to acquire land and buildings, purchase and install equipment, or for working capital.
Investors
Investors throughout Kentucky are eager to foster the growth of small businesses. The Cabinet has compiled information for investors, as well as lists of prospective investors.
Angel Investment Tax Credit
The Kentucky Angel Investment Tax Credit offers credits of up to 40 percent of an investment in Kentucky small businesses.
Kentucky Investment Fund Act
The Kentucky Investment Fund Act offers a 40 percent tax credit to certain personal and corporate investors in approved investment funds.
SBIR-STTR Matching Funds Program
The Cabinet will match, on a competitive basis, Phase 1 and Phase 2 federal Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) awards received by Kentucky high-tech small businesses and those willing to become Kentucky-based businesses.
Kentucky Selling Farmer Tax Credit
If you are a small farmer selling eligible agricultural assets to a beginning farmer, you may qualify for a tax credit.
Team Kentucky Entrepreneurship Resources
Kentucky’s Touchstone Energy Cooperatives Incentives
Business Funding Opportunities
Economic Development Districts
- Barren River Area Development District
- Big Sandy Area Development District
- Bluegrass Area Development District
- Buffalo Trace Area Development District
- Cumberland Valley Area Development District
- FIVCO Area Development District
- Gateway Area Development District
- Green River Area Development District
- Kentuckian Regional Planning and Development Agency
- Kentucky River Area Development District
- Lincoln Trail Area Development District
- Northern Kentucky Area Development District
- Purchase Area Development District
Revolving Loan Fund Grantees
- Barren River Area Development District
- Buffalo Trace Area Development District
- Cumberland Valley Area Development District
- FIVCO Area Development District
- Gateway Area Development District
- Green River Area Development District
- Lincoln Trail Area Development District
- Louisville/Jefferson County Metro Government
- Northern Kentucky Area Development District
- Purchase Area Development District
- Southeast Kentucky Economic Development Corporation
Funding Opportunities for Rural Infrastructure
Farm Labor Housing Direct Loans and Grants
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development offers low interest loans and need-based grants to construct off-farm housing for domestic year-round, migrant, seasonal, retired, and/or disabled domestic farm laborers. Pre-applications are required and must be sent to MFHprocessing1@usda.gov by April 1, 2021; Nov. 1, 2021; or Nov. 1, 2022
Bio-refinery, Renewable Chemical and Bio-based Products Manufacturing Assistance Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development provides loan guarantees to assist in the development, construction and retrofitting of new and emerging technologies. These technologies are advanced biofuels, renewable chemicals and bio-based products. Application Deadline: April 1, 2021
Supportive Housing for the Elderly Program
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
This funding provides capital advance and project rental subsidies for the development and ongoing operation of supportive rental housing for very low-income persons, aged 62 years or older. Application Deadline: May 26, 2021
Funding Opportunities Community/Economic Development
Rural Community Development Initiative
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development offers grants to qualified intermediary organizations to provide technical assistance and training to help nonprofit organizations and communities develop their capacity to undertake housing, community facility or economic development projects in rural areas. Online Application Deadline: March 22, 2021 on Grants.gov | Paper Application Deadline: March 29, 2021
Community Facilities Technical Assistance and Training Grant
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development offers grants to rural communities with limited staff and resources to build the capacity needed to access USDA funding to support essential community facilities. Online Application Deadline: March 22, 2021 on Grants.gov | Paper Application Deadline: March 29, 2021
SAMHSA Rural Emergency Services Training
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration is making this program available to help recruit and train emergency medical services personnel in rural areas. Application Deadline: March 30, 2021
Rural Business Development Grant Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development offers this competitive grant designed to support targeted technical assistance, training, and other activities leading to the development or expansion of small and emerging private businesses in rural areas. Application Deadline: As determined by the State Office or through March 31, 2021
Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements Grants and Guaranteed Loans
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development grant and loan/grant opportunities for agricultural producers and rural small businesses to purchase, install and construct renewable energy systems or complete energy efficiency improvements. Application Deadline for Loan and Grant Combinations: March 31, 2021 | Application Deadline for Loan Guarantees: Ongoing
Food Safety Outreach Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture offers this program to build upon the national infrastructure to develop and implement food safety training, education and technical assistance projects that address the needs of operators of small to mid-sized farms, beginning farmers, socially-disadvantaged farmers, small processors, or small fresh fruit and vegetable merchant wholesalers. Application Deadline: April 1, 2021
Rural Healthcare Connect Fund Program Fund
Universal Service Administrative Company
This program provides a 65 percent discount on eligible broadband connectivity expenses for eligible rural health care providers that may apply as an individual health care provider or as a consortium. Application Deadline: April 1, 2021
Evidence-Based Telehealth Network Program
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Health Resources and Services Administration offers program funding for telehealth networks to improve access to health care using telehealth technologies in rural and frontier communities. Application Deadline: April 2, 2021
Advanced Manufacturing Project
U.S. Department of Commerce
The Minority Business Development Agency supports innovative projects rendering technical and management assistance to minority business enterprises designed to defray all or part of the costs of pilot or demonstration projects designed to overcome challenges of minority businesses and generate increased financing and contract opportunities to create and retain jobs. Application Deadline: April 8, 2021
AARP Community Challenge
This opportunity provides small grants to fund quick-action projects that can help communities become more livable for people of all ages. Applications are accepted for projects to improve public spaces, housing, transportation, civic engagement, coronavirus recovery, diversity and inclusion, and more. Application Deadline: April 14, 2021
The Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture
National Institute of Food and Agriculture program offers funding to support and evaluate projects intended to increase the purchase of fruits and vegetables by low-income consumers participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program by providing incentives and demonstrate and evaluate the improvement of dietary health through increased consumption of fruits and vegetables, reduce food insecurity and health care usage. Application Deadline: April 15, 2021
Business and Industry (B&I) CARES Act Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development offers loan guarantees to help rural businesses meet their working capital needs during the coronavirus pandemic. Recorded webinars for lenders, businesses and producers. Application Deadline: Sept. 15, 2021, or until funds are expended.
Innovation Matters Funding Opportunities 03/16/2021
Funding Opportunities for Rural Infrastructure
Farm Labor Housing Direct Loans and Grants
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development offers low interest loans and need-based grants to construct off-farm housing for domestic year-round, migrant, seasonal, retired, and/or disabled domestic farm laborers. Pre-applications are required and must be sent to MFHprocessing1@usda.gov by April 1, 2021; Nov. 1, 2021; or Nov. 1, 2022
Biorefinery, Renewable Chemical and Bio-based Products Manufacturing Assistance Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development provides loan guarantees to assist in the development, construction and retrofitting of new and emerging technologies. These technologies are advanced biofuels, renewable chemicals and bio-based products. Application Deadline: April 1, 2021
Supportive Housing for the Elderly Program
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
This funding provides capital advance and project rental subsidies for the development and ongoing operation of supportive rental housing for very low-income persons, aged 62 years or older. Application Deadline: May 26, 2021
Funding Opportunities for Community/Economic Dev.
Rural Community Development Initiative
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development offers grants to qualified intermediary organizations to provide technical assistance and training to help nonprofit organizations and communities develop their capacity to undertake housing, community facility or economic development projects in rural areas. Online Application Deadline: March 22, 2021 on Grants.gov | Paper Application Deadline: March 29, 2021
Community Facilities Technical Assistance and Training Grant
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development offers grants to rural communities with limited staff and resources to build the capacity needed to access USDA funding to support essential community facilities. Online Application Deadline: March 22, 2021 on Grants.gov | Paper Application Deadline: March 29, 2021
SAMHSA Rural Emergency Services Training
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration is making this program available to help recruit and train emergency medical services personnel in rural areas. Application Deadline: March 30, 2021
Rural Business Development Grant Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development offers this competitive grant designed to support targeted technical assistance, training, and other activities leading to the development or expansion of small and emerging private businesses in rural areas. Application Deadline: As determined by the State Office or through March 31, 2021
Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements Grants and Guaranteed Loans
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development grant and loan/grant opportunities for agricultural producers and rural small businesses to purchase, install and construct renewable energy systems or complete energy efficiency improvements. Application Deadline for Loan and Grant Combinations: March 31, 2021 | Application Deadline for Loan Guarantees: Ongoing
Food Safety Outreach Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture offers this program to build upon the national infrastructure to develop and implement food safety training, education and technical assistance projects that address the needs of operators of small to mid-sized farms, beginning farmers, socially-disadvantaged farmers, small processors, or small fresh fruit and vegetable merchant wholesalers. Application Deadline: April 1, 2021
Rural Healthcare Connect Fund Program Fund
Universal Service Administrative Company
This program provides a 65 percent discount on eligible broadband connectivity expenses for eligible rural health care providers that may apply as an individual health care provider or as a consortium. Application Deadline: April 1, 2021
Evidence-Based Telehealth Network Program
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Health Resources and Services Administration offers program funding for telehealth networks to improve access to health care using telehealth technologies in rural and frontier communities. Application Deadline: April 2, 2021
Advanced Manufacturing Project
U.S. Department of Commerce
The Minority Business Development Agency supports innovative projects rendering technical and management assistance to minority business enterprises designed to defray all or part of the costs of pilot or demonstration projects designed to overcome challenges of minority businesses and generate increased financing and contract opportunities to create and retain jobs. Application Deadline: April 8, 2021
AARP Community Challenge
AARP
This opportunity provides small grants to fund quick-action projects that can help communities become more livable for people of all ages. Applications are accepted for projects to improve public spaces, housing, transportation, civic engagement, coronavirus recovery, diversity and inclusion, and more. Application Deadline: April 14, 2021
The Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture
National Institute of Food and Agriculture program offers funding to support and evaluate projects intended to increase the purchase of fruits and vegetables by low-income consumers participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program by providing incentives and demonstrate and evaluate the improvement of dietary health through increased consumption of fruits and vegetables, reduce food insecurity and health care usage. Application Deadline: April 15, 2021
Business and Industry (B&I) CARES Act Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development offers loan guarantees to help rural businesses meet their working capital needs during the coronavirus pandemic. Recorded webinars for lenders, businesses and producers. Application Deadline: Sept. 15, 2021, or until funds are expended.
Funding Opportunities, March 1, 2021
Funding Opportunities for Rural Infrastructure
Farm Labor Housing Direct Loans and Grants
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development offers low interest loans and need-based grants to construct off-farm housing for domestic year-round, migrant, seasonal, retired, and/or disabled domestic farm laborers. Pre-applications are required and must be sent to MFHprocessing1@usda.gov by April 1, 2021; Nov. 1, 2021; or Nov. 1, 2022
Biorefinery, Renewable Chemical and Biobased Products Manufacturing Assistance Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development provides loan guarantees to assist in the development, construction and retrofitting of new and emerging technologies. These technologies are advanced biofuels, renewable chemicals and biobased products. Application Deadline: April 1, 2021
Supportive Housing for the Elderly Program
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
This funding provides capital advance and project rental subsidies for the development and ongoing operation of supportive rental housing for very low-income persons, aged 62 years or older. Application Deadline: May 26, 2021
Water & Waste Disposal Loan & Grant Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development offers funding for clean and reliable drinking water systems, sanitary sewage disposal, sanitary solid waste disposal and storm water drainage to households and businesses in eligible rural areas. Application Deadline: Ongoing
Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance Programs
U.S. Economic Development Administration
This program funds and an array of projects including infrastructure, construction, planning, technical assistance and revolving loan fund projects. This includes CARES Act Funding. Application Deadline: Ongoing
Funding Opportunities for Community/Economic Dev.
Community Heart and Soul Seed Grant Program
Community Heart and Soul
This program provides $10,000 in startup funding for resident-driven groups in small cities and towns to implement the Community Heart & Soul model. Grant funding requires a $10,000 cash match from the participating municipality or a partnering organization. Application Deadline: Rolling
Staffing For Adequate Fire And Emergency Response (SAFER)
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Federal Emergency Management Agency supports grants to fund fire departments and volunteer firefighter interest organizations directly to help them increase capacity in their communities. Application Deadline: March 12, 2021
The SNF Foundation Small Business Growth & Recovery Grant Program
Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF)
The initiative by SNF and supported by National Community Reinvestment Coalition, offers small businesses funding, training and mentorship to find their footing in an acutely challenging economic landscape, focusing on those owned by people of color, women, and veterans as well as those in lower-income communities. Application Deadline: March 19, 2021
Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development offers funding to help agricultural producers and small rural businesses develop new products from raw agricultural products or to promote new markets for established products. Electronic Application Deadline: March 16, 2021 | Paper Application Deadline: March 22, 2021
Rural Community Development Initiative
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development offers grants to qualified intermediary organizations to provide technical assistance and training to help nonprofit organizations and communities develop their capacity to undertake housing, community facility or economic development projects in rural areas. Application Deadline: March 22, 2021 on Grants.gov | Paper Application Deadline: March 29, 2021
Community Facilities Technical Assistance and Training Grant
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development offers grants to rural communities with limited staff and resources to build the capacity needed to access USDA funding to support essential community facilities. Funds may be used to help rural communities identify financial resources, improve the management of community facilities, and prepare reports, surveys and applications. Application Deadline: March 22, 2021 on Grants.gov | Paper Application Deadline: March 29, 2021
The Gardens for Good Grant
The Nature’s Path
This program focuses on the community by supporting organic community gardens that support place based model and does “good” by providing food to a nonprofit feeding agency such as a food bank, soup kitchen, emergency pantry, shelter or school program. Application Deadline: March 24, 2021
Rural Emergency Medical Services Training Grant
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration offers a grant program to support in the recruitment and training of emergency medical services personnel in rural areas. Application Deadline: April 30, 2021
Food Safety Outreach Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture offers this program to build upon the national infrastructure to develop and implement food safety training, education, extension, outreach and technical assistance projects that address the needs of owners and operators of small to mid-sized farms, beginning farmers, socially-disadvantaged farmers, small processors, or small fresh fruit and vegetable merchant wholesalers. Application Deadline: April 1, 2021
Build to Scale program
U.S. Department of Commerce
Economic Development Administration’s Office of Innovation & Entrepreneurship offers funding for organizations that aid companies in developing the next generation of technologies that fuels tech-based economic development in regional economies with two separate competitions: The 2021 Venture Challenge and The 2021 Capital Challenge. Notice of Funding Opportunity. Application Deadline: April 29, 2021
Innovation Matters Funding Opportunities 02/17/2021
Rural Infrastructure
Small Shipyard Grants
U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)
DOT’s Maritime Administration grants funding to support improvements to qualified shipyard facilities that will be effective in fostering efficiency, and quality construction, repair, and reconfiguration. Application Deadline: Feb. 25, 2021
Small Community Air Service Development Program
U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)
DOT program designed to provide financial assistance to small communities to help them enhance their air service. The Department provides this assistance in the form of grants that are disbursed on a reimbursable basis. Application Deadline: March 1, 2021
Farm Labor Housing Direct Loans and Grants
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development offers low interest loans and need-based grants to construct off-farm housing for domestic year-round, migrant, seasonal, retired, and/or disabled domestic farm laborers. Federal Register. Pre-applications are required and must be sent to MFHprocessing1@usda.gov by April 1 2021; Nov. 1 2021; or Nov. 1, 2022
Biorefinery, Renewable Chemical and Biobased Products Manufacturing Assistance Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development provides loan guarantees to assist in the development, construction and retrofitting of new and emerging technologies. These technologies are advanced biofuels, renewable chemicals and biobased products. Application Deadline: April 1, 2021
Community Facilities Direct Loan & Grant Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development provides funding to construct, enlarge, or improve essential community facilities which includes qualified equipment. Application Guidebook. Transportation Guide. Loan Guarantees. Application Deadline: Ongoing
Community and Economic Development
Booker T. Washington Fellowship Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA is making the fellowship opportunity available for faculty and staff at an accredited 1890 Land-Grant University and secondary education superintendents; principals; agricultural and/or district level teachers working for 1890 Land-Grant University feeder high schools in two fellowship categories: Education and High School Education and Science. Application Deadline: March 1, 2021
Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development offers funding to help agricultural producers and small rural businesses develop new products from raw agricultural products or to promote new markets for established products. Electronic Application Deadline: March 16, 2021 | Paper Application Deadline: March 22, 2021
Rural Community Development Initiative
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development offers grants to qualified intermediary organizations to provide technical assistance and training to help nonprofit organizations and communities develop their capacity to undertake housing, community facility or economic development projects in rural areas. Application Deadline: March 22, 2021 on Grants.gov | Paper Application Deadline: March 29, 2021
Community Facilities Technical Assistance and Training Grant
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development offers grants to rural communities with limited staff and resources to build the capacity needed to access USDA funding to support essential community facilities. Funds may be used to help rural communities identify financial resources, improve the management of community facilities, and prepare reports, surveys and applications. Application Deadline: March 22, 2021 on Grants.gov | Paper Application Deadline: March 29, 2021
Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture provides grants to support education, mentoring and technical assistance initiatives for beginning farmers and ranchers. Application Deadline: March 25, 2021
Innovative Water Infrastructure Workforce Development Grant Program
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
EPA is soliciting applications from eligible nonprofits and other eligible applicants to (1) assist in the development and use of innovative activities relating to water workforce development and career opportunities in the drinking water and wastewater utility sector, and (2) expand public awareness about drinking water and wastewater utilities and to connect individuals to careers in the drinking water and wastewater utility sector. Application Deadline: March 26, 2021
Rural Business Development Grant Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development offers this competitive grant designed to support targeted technical assistance, training, and other activities leading to the development or expansion of small and emerging private businesses in rural areas. Application Deadline: As determined by the State Office or through March 31, 2021
Strategic Economic and Community Development (SECD) Funding
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA Rural Development is accepting applications for projects that support strategic regional economic and community development planning. Covered programs reserving SECD funds in Fiscal Year 2021 are: Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grant Program; Community Facilities Loan Guaranteed Program; Water and Waste Disposal Program Loan and Grant Program; Water and Waste Disposal Loan Guarantees; Business & Industry Loan Guarantees; Rural Business Development Grants; and Community Connect Grants. Obligation Deadlines: June 30, 2021, for all programs except the Rural Business Development Grant Program which has a July 31, 2021 obligation deadline.
Food Safety Outreach Program
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture offers this program to build upon the national infrastructure to develop and implement food safety training, education, extension, outreach and technical assistance projects that address the needs of owners and operators of small to mid-sized farms, beginning farmers, socially-disadvantaged farmers, small processors, or small fresh fruit and vegetable merchant wholesalers. Application Deadline: April 1, 2021
Rural Health Care Telecommunications Program
Universal Service Administrative Company
The Telecom Program provides reduced rates to rural health care providers for telecommunications and voice services for the use of telemedicine and telehealth. Eligible services are discounted at the difference in cost between urban and rural areas in your state. Application Deadline: April 1, 2021
1890 Institution Teaching, Research & Extension Capacity Building Grants
U.S. Department of Agriculture
USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture program strengthens teaching, research and extension projects in the food and agricultural sciences by building the institutional capacities of the 1890 Land-Grant Institutions. Application Deadline: Sept. 10, 2021
