The Evergreen Manufacturing Growth Grants program, administered by Washington State Department of Commerce (Commerce), aims to increase the number of manufacturing and research and development jobs in Washington State.
Donor Name: Washington State Department of Commerce
State: Washington
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: Ongoing
Size of the Grant: $200,000 to $400,000
Details:
Overarching goal is to accelerate innovation and help create jobs in every region of the state. This particular grant program, with a total of $2 million in funds, is specifically designed to support the development of regional cluster acceleration strategies by fostering an environment of innovation and entrepreneurship.
Funding Information
Applicants are eligible for awards of $200,000 to $400,000. The Department of Commerce will determine the total amount of each grant, and will award up to 10 grants total. Applicants are encouraged to demonstrate the availability of matching funds or capital investment to implement any proposed development work or expansions from projects funded by grant awards.
Eligible Projects
Funding will be provided for the following types of projects:
- Research and development projects, including design and testing of new technologies that align with the state’s goal of building a resilient, innovative, and equitable manufacturing and research and development base of employment.
- Pilot or demonstration manufacturing projects coordinated with organized industry cluster initiatives.
- Strategic assistance related to analysis of existing and potential customer bases and market demands, including analysis of capabilities of business’s employees to expand their skillsets.
- Strategic assistance related to supply chain management and resilience.
- Projects intended to increase manufacturing jobs or research and development jobs regionally within the next five years.
- Workforce development initiatives.
Eligibility Criteria
All applicants must meet these minimum requirements:
- The business or cluster organization must be physically located in Washington State or plan to locate in Washington with award subject to proof of long-term lease, site selection before receiving grant award.
- Must have a license to do business in Washington State, or be able to obtain one prior to contract execution.
- Organizations that apply as a “cluster” must meet Commerce’s approved definition of the term, which is included above.
Additional Guidelines
- One grant application can be submitted per business or cluster organization.
- Commerce may elect to limit the number of awardees per county to promote geographic diversity of awardees.
- If awarded, funding will help accelerate the growth of Washington’s manufacturing and research and development employment base.
- Projected number of jobs to be created over a five year period of time will be required as part of application and award agreement.
- Funding must be spent entirely in Washington state.
- All awarded funds for this reimbursement-based grant must be utilized prior to June 30, 2023.
- Businesses should work with the designated Associate Development Organization (ADO) in the county where the business is locate or will grow its presence in crafting their application.
- Designated ADOs will submit an application directly to Commerce on behalf of a business.
- Cluster organizations are invited to send their application directly to Commerce, and are not required to include a letter of support from an ADO.
- Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and will be reviewed until funding is depleted.
For more information, visit Washington State Department of Commerce.
