Small Business Infrastructure Grant Program
The Small Business Infrastructure Grant Program funds restoration of public infrastructure critical to small businesses in North Carolina communities impacted by Hurricane Helene.
Funder: North Carolina Department of Commerce
Due Dates: May 1, 2025 (application opens) | June 30, 2026 (award) | October 30, 2026 (award) | February 26, 2027 (award) | Rolling (first-come, first-served until funds exhausted)
Funding Amounts: Up to $1,000,000 per project; no minimum; $55M program total; max 10% of total funds per county; project period up to 36 months.
Summary: Supports local governments in North Carolina to restore and repair public infrastructure critical to small businesses impacted by Hurricane Helene.
Key Information: Only local governments in federally declared disaster areas from Hurricane Helene are eligible; projects must serve small businesses (≤150 employees) and repair infrastructure not owned by the business.
Description
The Small Business Infrastructure Grant Program (SmBIZ), managed by the North Carolina Department of Commerce, provides funding to local governments in areas impacted by Hurricane Helene to restore and repair critical public infrastructure that supports small businesses. The goal is to help communities and businesses recover, restore essential services, and foster economic resilience and growth. Eligible projects include repairs to water, sewer, gas, telecommunications, broadband, electric utilities, and sidewalk/curb infrastructure that were damaged by the hurricane and are essential for small business operations.
