| Everyone knows that it takes money to make money. | | | | entrepreneurs start or expand their small businesses. |
| But what happens if you just don't have the cash you | | | | Economic development agencies that extend small |
| need to start a business? | | | | business grants exist in Kansas, Utah, Nebraska, New |
| If you're an enterprising entrepreneur who needs | | | | Hampshire and New Mexico. Other states offer |
| money to start a business, or to expand your existing | | | | financing and technical training services to individuals |
| business, you need to know about the free small | | | | who want to go into small business. |
| business grants program. Many states offer small | | | | Even though the federal government does not provide |
| business grants, allowing novice business owners the | | | | individuals with small business grants, it has |
| chance to start or improve their ventures. Others | | | | spearheaded efforts to support individuals starting |
| provide financial assistance in the form of loans or | | | | small businesses, through the Small Business |
| incentives for small businesses. It requires relatively little | | | | Administration (SBA). Through the SBA, the U.S. |
| effort to apply for small business grants, and the | | | | government extends very attractive loan packages, |
| payoff can mean the difference between failure and | | | | along with the necessary technical support and training, |
| success. | | | | to help small business owners succeed. The SBA was |
| In the United States, the Department of Homeland | | | | established in 1953, and has helped thousands of |
| Security (DHS) offers small business grants to | | | | budding American entrepreneurs develop their small |
| individuals who have good ideas pertaining to | | | | businesses. SBA offices can be found in every state, |
| security-related innovations. Through the DHS Small | | | | and work in cooperation with various lending, non-profit |
| business Innovation Research, small business grants | | | | and educational and training organizations nationwide. |
| are offered to qualifying businesses in the United | | | | Small businesses account for more than half of the |
| States with 500 or fewer employees. An initial small | | | | nation's gross domestic product, and continuously |
| business grant of up to $100,000 is available, allowing | | | | generate new jobs for the U.S. economy. With these |
| applicants six months to conduct the research required | | | | facts in mind, the SBA intends to reach the 25 million |
| to prove the scientific, technical and commercial values | | | | small businesses that employ more than fifty percent |
| of their concepts. If the DHS approves the proposal, | | | | of the total private industries work force. |
| the successful company may then apply for two-year | | | | With the huge contribution small businesses give to the |
| free small business grant to develop prototypes of the | | | | U.S. economy, it is imperative that proper assistance |
| product. Proposals must fall into one of the following | | | | and guidance be provided for individuals engaged in |
| categories: information technology, marine security or | | | | small business. Small business grants are small but |
| chemical and biological defense. | | | | important benefits given to these deserving individuals. |
| The federal government does not provide free small | | | | If you are a U.S. citizen with dreams of making it big in |
| business grants; however a number of state-run | | | | business, and a budget that requires you to start out |
| development agencies do offer grants and other | | | | small, look to your state government for information on |
| forms of financial assistance to help budding | | | | how you can benefit from small business grants. |