Grants for businesses

[Sunshine1528]

I know I have read about some of our posters either working on or receiving grants in the past. (Am particularly thinking one of them may have been Laura Max?).

My VP of Sales/GM of our box plant just mentioned he and our Plant Manager have heard of grants for manufacturing plants in California getting grant $ to improve the training of their machine operators, etc. We are currently implementing Lean Manufacturing to some extent and they thought we may be eligible. Can you say "HR to the rescue?"

Here's my question: How do I go about searching for and/or finding these types of state or federal grants? (Google takes me in thousands of different directions from the bit of time I have spent searching already.) Or perhaps I am not using the correct search words?

Any help is much appreciated. TIA !

 

[LauraMax]

Hi Jacque--yes, I'm a grant writer. I haven't heard of these grants myself--I'm assuming he's referring to govmt grants, I don't work much w/corporations & foundations anymore.

There are a couple of resources. I suspect any grants of this nature would come from your state's dept of treasury or commerce, and/or the federal dept. of commerce.

That said, b/c if you try the internet you WILL get a zillion hits & it'll take you forever, my suggestion is you check w/your state legislator & your congressman to navigate the state & federal agencies. They have staff that can research this for you & who are more familiar w/the twists & turns of govmt bureaucracy.

Sorry, wish I could be more helpful!

 

[mrsmel]

I also recommend contacting your library. Either your local public library or if there is a university or college in your town, get in touch with them. My local university has a librarian on staff who deals with grants specifically. They may be able to help some, too.

anne

 

[Sunshine1528]

Thanks for the suggestions ladies ! Any ideas are definitely appreciated.