Grants are available for green businesses.
Starting a green business can be a gratifying project as well as a lucrative one. As environmentalism is growing in popularity, green business strategies can pay off, both in the short and long term. A number of grants and other financial incentives are available for environmentally friendly business practices, as well as a growing market for green products.
Community Conservation Enterprises
Community Conservation Enterprises awards a variety of grants to small businesses that are interested in protecting the environment, maintaining natural resources and supporting a sustainable economy. The Ecosystem Marketplace seeks to work on the local level and bridge the gap between the suppliers and consumers of green and eco-friendly services. Thus, CCE partners with small business ventures that focus on raising the quality of life for their local communities by supporting a clean environment and providing economic opportunity. Green ventures can apply for the grants, which are typically between $500 and $2,000. These grants currently fund only initiatives in Mexico and Central America.
Ecosystem Marketplace
Forest Trends' Community and Markets Program
1050 Potomac St. N.W.
Washington, DC 20007
202-298-3004
ecosystemmarketplace.com
State and Local Grant Programs
Local, state-run grants are available in every state in the United States and are offered in a variety of municipalities. The business.gov portal to state and local energy efficiency standards includes a link to state and regional outreach programs. Grants available through this site are awarded both to new businesses and to existing businesses seeking to become more energy efficient.
800-659-2955
business.gov
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
The EPA awards millions of dollars annually to a variety of businesses and individuals working for a cleaner environment. The EPA is one of several government agencies that participate in the EPA's Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program established up by the Small Business Innovation Development Act (1982). Requests for proposals from a variety of businesses and projects are issued annually, and grants are awarded via a two-phase government contract.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Ariel Rios Building
1200 Pennsylvania Ave. N.W.
Washington, DC 20460
epa.gov
Tags: Business Innovation, Community Conservation, Community Conservation Enterprises, Conservation Enterprises, Ecosystem Marketplace