Grants, Incentives, & Funding Opportunities
Greater Rochester Chamber supports member organization growth and expansion in the Greater Rochester region. Below is a list of grants, funding opportunities, and incentives available to businesses in New York State. For more information and assistance, please contact Chamber@GreaterRochesterChamber.com.
General Grant Opportunities
| Program Name | Offering Organization | To Be Used For |
|---|---|---|
| Targeted Business Revitalization Grant Program | City of Rochester | Electric-related Infrastructure Improvements |
| GrantWatch | GrantWatch | Various private and government grants can be found and searched for in this portal |
| Current Federal Grant Opportunities | Rep. Joe Morelle | Various federal government grants can be found and searched for on this spreadsheet |
| Capital Investment Incentive Program - Tier 1 | RG&E | Electric-related Infrastructure Improvements |
| Capital Investment Incentive Program - Tier 2 | RG&E | Electric-related Infrastructure Improvements |
| Brownfield/Building Redevelopment Program | RG&E | Redevelopment of a brownfield site or vacant building |
| Business Energy Efficiency & Renewable Technologies Program | RG&E | Investment in energy efficiency/renewable/clean energy programs |
| Power Quality/Reliability Program | RG&E | Investment in power reliability/quality improvements |
| Economic Development Strategic Outreach Program | RG&E | Attracting new business investment into Greater Rochester |
| Natural Gas Efficiency Infrastructure Investment Program | RG&E | Investment in natural gas related infrasturcture improvements |
| Non-Residential Geothermal and Air Source Heat Pump Pilot Program | RG&E | Installation of geothermal or air source heat pump systems in lieu of natural gas heating |
| Rochester Area Community Foundation Grants | Rochester Area Community Foundation | RACF is the region’s largest grant maker – various grants for eligible businesses are available |
| Philip J. Banks Grant | Rochester Economic Development Corporation (REDCO) | Grant funding for job creation, business retention, expansion, or relocation. Funds can also be used for equipment, redevelopment, real estate acquisitions or new construction |
| On-the-Job Training Grant | RochesterWorks | A grant program is designed to help businesses in the City of Rochester and Monroe County meet their employment needs by offsetting the cost of training new employees who need to upgrade their skills to meet the demands of a specific job. |
| Incumbent Worker Training Grant Program | RochesterWorks | The Incumbent Worker Training Grant (IWT) program is designed to help businesses in the City of Rochester and Monroe County upskill their existing employees to meet industry demand by offsetting the cost of providing training and certification. |
| Work Experience Tryout Program | RochesterWorks | A candidate will work on-site at your location but will be employed by a staffing agency and have their wages 100% subsidized and paid for by RochesterWorks Work Experience temporarily to see if they are a fit for an open position |
| Grants.gov | US Department of Commerce | Various federal grants can be found and searched for in this portal |
Other Funding Opportunities & Incentives
| Program Name | Offering Organization | To Be Used For |
|---|---|---|
| Incentive Program for Public Works Contracts | City of Rochester | An incentive program for hiring City residents residing in certain City zip codes for public works contracts |
| Business Development Financial Assistance Program | City of Rochester | Provides low interest loans and grants for expansion projects, including purchase of machinery/equipment, acquisitions, construction/renovation, and working capital. |
| Excelsior Jobs Program | Empire State Development | Receive tax credits for creating new jobs |
| Linked Deposit Program | Empire State Development | The Linked Deposit Program (LDP) helps existing New York State firms obtain reduced-rate financing so they can undertake investments |
| Strategic Planning and Feasibility Studies Program | Empire State Development | Provides funding for ht preparation and development of strategic development plans for a city, county or municipality or a significant part thereof |
| New Markets Tax Credit Program | Empire State Development | Provides investment capital for operating companies and real estate development projects in order to foster job creation and community development in low-income communities throughout New York State |
| New York State Small Business Revolving Loan Fund Round 2 | Empire State Development | The New York State Small Business Revolving Loan Fund Round 2 will use $55,583,258 in federally allocated funds for shorter-term financing needs and will address inequitable capital access with targeted lending that will address the financing gaps facing new companies, under-banked communities and small businesses which are more likely to be minority owned. |
| WeROC | The Enterprise Center at PathStone | The WeROC program is assisting inspiring entrepreneurs from concept to execution through integrated services of technical assistance and direct access to capital through loans and grants. |
| Employee Retention Credit | IRS | A refundable tax credit for businesses that continued to pay employees while shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic or had significant declines in gross receipts from March 13, 2020 to Dec. 31, 2021. |
| MCIDC RLF 50 | Monroe County Economic Development | Gap loan financing to Monroe County businesses which do not qualify for the SBA 504 program |
| MicroAdvantage Small Business Loan Program | Monroe County Industrial Development Corp. | Loan program designed to provide access to capital up to $50,000 for qualified applicants and technical assistance to small businesses in Monroe County who were impacted by COVID-19, with a focus on certified MWBE enterprises and Service Disabled Veteran Owned Businesses. |
| Open Solicitations | NY Green Bank | Funding to help developers and financiers overcome transaction barriers to scalable and replicable clean energy projects |
| Carbon Neutral Community Economic Development Program | New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) | Funding to support economic development projects across New York State for projects that are regionally significant and designed to carbon neutral net zero energy performance |
| Charge Ready NY 2.0 | New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) | Offers incentives to public, private and not-for-profit organizations that install Level 2 EV charging stations at workplaces, multi-unit dwellings (MUD’s) or public facilities |
| Revolving Loan Fund | Rochester Economic Development Corporation (REDCO) | Funds for job creation, business retention, expansion/relocation, equipment, or other purchases |
| Catalytic Predevelopment Loans | Rochester Economic Development Corporation (REDCO) | Flexible, low-interest predevelopment loans are intended for early-stage real estate development projects focused on the revitalization of key commercial properties in targeted Rochester neighborhood corridors |
| Commercial and Industrial Rebate Program | RG&E | Rebates for energy efficiency improvements made in C&I facilities including LED lighting, HVAC equipment, compressed air, industrial process equipment, and more |
| Small Business Rebate Program | RG&E | Enhanced rebates for energy efficiency improvements for eligible small businesses customers with average annual peak demands < 110kW or annual gas consumption less than 5,000 therms |
| Electronic Vehicle Make-Ready Program | RG&E | Incentives that can cover up to 100% of the infrastructure costs associated with the installation of EV charging stations. |
Industry & Special Interest Specific Opportunities
Funding & Incentives for Manufacturers
| Program Name | Offering Organization | To Be Used For |
|---|---|---|
| Monroe Manufacturing Rewards Program | County of Monroe Industrial Development Agency (COMIDA) | Rebates on manufacturing equipment purchases of $25,000-49,999 for small businesses in Monroe County |
| 2024 Manufacturing Grants | FuzeHub | Designed to encourage collaboration between not-for-profit organizations and small to medium-sized manufacturing companies in New York State |
| Apprenticeship Expansion Grant (AEG) | NYS Department of Labor | Increase employment opportunities for apprentices, including underrepresented populations |
| New York Manufacturing Extension Partnership | NYSTAR | Provide growth and innovation services to small and mid-sized manufacturers |
| Manufacturing Accelerator Program | RG&E | Funding for productivity improvement projects |
| SUNY Apprenticeship Program | SUNY | Funding to expand apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs in all industry sectors |
Funding & Incentives for Startups & Entrepreneurs
| Program Name | Offering Organization | To Be Used For |
|---|---|---|
| Kiva Rochester Crowdfunded Microloan Program | City of Rochester | Provides capital for entrepreneurs who may have difficulty securing loans from traditional lending institutions |
| Neighborhood Commercial Assistance Program | City of Rochester | Provides small business grants for eligible retail and neighborhood service businesses which need capital |
| NASE Growth Grants | National Association for the Self-Employed | Provides business development grants of up to $4,000 for members of the NASE |
| Economic Development Innovation & Entrepreneurship Program | RG&E | Funds awarded to spur development of high growth potential companies |
Funding & Incentives for MWBEs
| Program Name | Offering Organization | To Be Used For |
|---|---|---|
| Small Business Microloan Program | County of Monroe Industrial Development Agency (COMIDA) | $10,000 to $50,000 loans at Prime +0 fixed at closing for up to five years |
| State Small Business Credit Initiative | Empire State Development | Provides technical and financial assistance to help contractors secure surety bonding |
| Bridge Gap Fund | Rebuild the Block | Provides financial assistance to Black entrepreneurs who have been negatively impacted by COVID-19 and/or looting destruction. |
| SBA 8(a) Business Development Program | Small Business Administration (SBA) | The 8(a) program is a robust nine-year program created to help firms owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals. |
| Small Business Technology Transfer Program | Small Business Administration (SBA) | This government grant for small businesses creates opportunities for small businesses to collaborate on joint ventures with the nation’s leading nonprofit organizations |
| Funding Finder | Tory Burch Foundation | Portal to help women founders connect with loans, grants, and other ways to access capital based on what they need. |
| Coalition to Back Black Businesses Grants | US Chamber of Commerce Foundation | A grant making initiative to provide immediate financial assistance and long-term support for America’s Black-owned small businesses |
| MBDA Grants | US Department of Commerce | Grants and loans for minority owned businesses |
Funding & Incentives for Healthcare
| Program Name | Offering Organization | To Be Used For |
|---|---|---|
| Training Capacity Expansions for Statewide Institutions | NYS Department of Health | Funding for the development of new training programs, developing innovative training approaches and techniques, and providing compensation for workers to train full-time support staff and in doing so expand overall training capacity. |
| Apprenticeship Expansion Grant (AEG) | NYS Department of Labor | Increase employment opportunities for apprentices, including underrepresented populations |
| SUNY Apprenticeship Program | SUNY | Funding to expand apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs in all industry sectors |
Funding for Education Organizations
| Program Name | Offering Organization | To Be Used For |
|---|---|---|
| Matching Grants Leverage Program | NYSTAR | Reviews and coordinates requests for New York State matching grants and support letters to strengthen applicants' proposals to federal agencies, foundations, and other grant-making organizations. |
| Empire State Teacher Residency Program | NYS Workforce Development | Funds to create residency programs for grad-level teacher candidates |
| Alternative Teacher Certification Program | NYS Workforce Development | Funds for the development or expansion of high-quality, research-based, master's-level alternative certification programs |
| Upskilling Paraprofessionals Programs | NYS Workforce Development | Funds for the development & implementation of new programs that recruit and support teaching assistants |
Funding & Incentives for Small Businesses
| Program Name | Offering Organization | To Be Used For |
|---|---|---|
| Neighborhood Commercial Assistance Program | City of Rochester | Provides small business grants for eligible retail and neighborhood service businesses which need capital |
| Small Business Microloan Program | County of Monroe Industrial Development Agency (COMIDA) | $10,000 to $50,000 loans at Prime +0 fixed at closing for up to five years |
| SBA 504 Loan Program | County of Monroe Industrial Development Agency (COMIDA) | Long-term financing for the purchase of land, buildings and equipment at a fixed-rate of interest |
| State Small Business Credit Initiative | Empire State Development | Provides technical and financial assistance to help contractors secure surety bonding |
| START-UP NY Program | Empire State Development | START-UP NY helps new and expanding businesses through tax-based incentives and innovative academic partnerships |
| Fast Break for Small Business | LegalZoom | This grant program is a partnership among LegalZoom, the NBA, the WNBA and the NBA G League. Businesses can receive $10,000 in grant money plus free LegalZoom services. |
| Small Business Financing Program | New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) | Offers small businesses two loan options to finance energy efficiency and renewable energy projects |
| Small Business Innovation Research Program | Small Business Administration (SBA) | Funds are provided for research and development with additional support being given for the commercialization of the technology or service created |
| Small Business Technology Transfer Program | Small Business Administration (SBA) | This government grant for small businesses creates opportunities for small businesses to collaborate on joint ventures with the nation’s leading nonprofit organizations |
Other Specific Funding & Incentives
| Program Name | Offering Organization | Target Audience | To Be Used For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Life Sciences Research and Development Tax Credit Program | Empire State Development | Life Sciences Industry | Tax credit used to encourage new businesses to conduct their research and development |
| New York State Digital Game Development Program | Empire State Development | Game Development Industry | Tax credit used to support companies producing digital games in New York State. |
| Employee Training Incentive Program | Empire State Development | Advanced technology, life sciences, software development, clean energy | Provides refundable tax credits to New York State employers for skills training that upgrades or improves the productivity of their employees |
| Commercial Tax Credit Program | Empire State Development | Motion Picture Industry | Tax credit used to increase the production of commercial filming in New York State |
| NYS Film Tax Credit Program (Production) | Empire State Development | Motion Picture Industry | Tax credit used for qualified production costs and post-production costs incurred in New York State |
| NYS Film Tax Credit Program (Post-Production) | Empire State Development | Motion Picture Industry | Tax credit used for qualified production costs and post-production costs incurred in New York State |
| Empire State Musical and Theatrical Production Tax Credit Program | Empire State Development | Performing Arts Industry | Tax credit used to conduct technical rehearsals and other pre-tour activities and perform shows in qualified regional theaters throughout Upstate New York. |
| FAST-NY | Empire State Development | Real Estate Development Organizations | Grant funding for prepare and develop sites statewide to jumpstart New York’s shovel-readiness and increase its attractiveness to large employers |
| Grow-NY Food & Agriculture Competition | Empire State Development | Agriculture Industry | A pitch competition program to secure funding for businesses in the agriculture industry |
| Mid-Sized Arts Grant | Monroe County | Agriculture Industry | Funding for mid-sized arts organizations to use for operating expenses and community festivals |
| Agriculture Capital Investment Incentive Program | RG&E | Arts Industry | Funding for electric-related Infrastructure Improvements |
| Commercial Corridor Revitalization Assistance Program | RG&E | Real Estate Development Organizations | Grant used to revitalize a municipality defined target area |
| Military Entrepreneur Challenge | Second Service Foundation | Veteran Owned Businesses | A pitch competition program to secure funding for Veteran Owned businesses |