Straight Talk about Government Small Business Grants
A Home Business Article Contributed by Elizabeth Fox-Wise
Despite All of the Promises, Government Grant Money for Small Business is Not Abundant
You see the ads all of the time, marketing resources for locating a government small business grant. These enterprising individuals are telling you that the government has thousands of dollars just waiting to be given away to people who wish to start or expand a small business.
It sounds too good to be true, huh? And it is. Getting a government grant for your small business is difficult to accomplish and only certain small businesses need even consider applying.
However, if you wish to pursue government small business grants further, there are certain places you can look which do not involve purchasing someone's marketing kit and promises.
The Small Business Administration Handles Federal Government Grant Money
The Small Business administration is an agency which exists to assist small business owners. In addition to many other services, the small business administration is the agency which handles the disbursement of federal grant money.
Taken from the Small Business Administration's web site:
"While SBA does offer some grant programs, these are generally designed to expand and enhance organizations that provide small business management, technical, or financial assistance. These grants generally support non-profit organizations, intermediary lending institutions, and state and local governments."
If you have a small business that you feel might fit the government small business grant qualifications, you should go to the SBA web site and research it further. Through the Small Business Administration you can get information about government grant availability and see if your small business qualifies for any federal government grant money.
There May Also Be Some Grant Money Available for Small Business Through Local Government or Private Sector
Although again, not really common, it may be possible to find grand money for your small business locally either through local government or the private sector.
Typically, local government grant money is project specific and will be given to business in that chosen industry. The areas that this money goes depends on the local needs of the community and is typically allocated to a business which can meet a local communities need that the government has deemed necessary.
To get information on local government small business grants, the small business owner should contact his area chamber of commerce, business associations and local government web sites.
Although the Small business Administration does not handle local government grants, they may be able to suggest other places you look for a local government grant. Additionally, the SBA offers a mentoring program of seasoned (often retired) small business owners who can assist you wish your small business needs. Many of these mentors would be able to advise you on how and where to seek a government grant as well as the writing of a good grant proposal and process for securing government grant small business funding.
Beyond Government grants, you can look within your industry for grant money for small business. Again, while it is not abundant, there is sometimes some private sector grant money made available in industries which are trying to encourage advancement.
