ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS
Enid Regional Development Alliance is eager to work with existing and new companies to help provide financial assistance for their projects.
Companies may apply for an assistance program unless they have participated in one within the past 24 months. These local assistance programs may not be layered with one another, but are intended to be layered with State and Federal programs. Multi-level marketing businesses are not eligible.
ERDA assistance programs are reimbursable grants. Awarded funds are paid to the business after receipts are received from the company and verified by ERDA. No company or principal owner may receive a grant within 24 months of completing an ERDA assistance program through ERDA. Incentives are awarded first come, first serve until the annual budgeted amount is met each fiscal year.
Requested documents noted on the application with current financial documents will be evaluated by ERDA staff to determine if eligibility criteria have been met before applications are considered by the ERDA Board of Directors.
MicroEnterprise Grant Assistance
Enid Regional Development Alliance, in partnership with the City of Enid and CDBG, offers one MicroEnterprise grant once per year. To be eligible for the grant, you must own a small business located in Enid, Oklahoma in a brick and mortar location and manufacture a product. Funding must be used for business expenses necessary for the company’s operation, management, or expansion. This is a reimbursable grant. Income restrictions apply.
Qualification: No more than six Full Time Employees and as the business owner, you must meet income requirements set by the Office of Housing and Urban Development. See if you qualify here.
Equipment Grant Assistance
The Equipment Grant will pay 50% of new equipment purchase cost with an award of up to $25,000 (whichever is less). Proposed new equipment to be purchased should either increase efficiency for the business by increasing sales with less operational expense or adding a new product line to the business.
This is a reimbursement grant and payment will be made upon arrival and/or installation of the new equipment and once paid receipts are received and verified by ERDA.
Qualification: Minimum of 7 Full Time Employees whose average pay is equal to or greater than the county median wage and the business must offer medical benefits where the employee pays no more than 50% of premiums. The business must have annual revenues of more than $1 million.
Infrastructure Grant Assistance
Businesses who require new, repaired, or improved, public infrastructure to serve their location (road, water, sewer, broadband) may qualify for assistance of 50% of the total cost up to a maximum of $25,000. Infrastructure must be for infill development only and may not extend the boundaries of existing City utilities.
The infrastructure must be new to the site or expanded to allow the business to do something that would not otherwise be possible. This should lead to increased efficiencies, increased sales, and/or employment.
Qualification: Minimum of 7 Full Time Employees whose county median wage is equal to or greater than $30,000 and offer medical benefits where the employee pays no more than 50% of premiums.
Industry Certification Grant Assistance
The Industry Certification Grant will pay 50% of the cost towards a new national/international industry certification (I.e., ISO9000, HAACP) up to a $5,000 award. Costs may include audit costs, travel and lodging expenses for auditors, or consultants, consultant fees, certification, and application fees. Certification must be business specific and not employee specific.
Qualification: Business must have a minimum of 7 Full Time Employees whose average pay is equal to or greater than $30,000 and offer medical benefits where the employee pays no more than 50% of premiums.
Small Business Renovation
Small Business Renovation grants are for costs to owned or leased spaces where small business is planned or currently taking place. Assistance would be 50% of the cost of renovations up to up to a $5,000 award. Funds will be provided as a reimbursement of expenses to renovate, expand, or redesign a commercial, retail, or industrial space. A business must have an official Certificate of Occupancy before reimbursement will be processed. The grant award may be forfeited if all work is not completed within 12 months of the award date and/or within 60 days of receiving the certificate of occupancy. A 30-day extension may be requested but is not guaranteed.
Qualifications: Maximum of 6 Full Time Employees
Downtown Sprinkler Assistance Program
This program is designed to encourage the redevelopment of Enid’s historical downtown buildings for commercial use by offsetting a portion of the cost to install fire suppression sprinklers.
Qualifications: Buildings located within the boundaries of Main Street Enid – between the Railroad Track and Adams (east to west) and Elm and Owen K. Garriott (north to south). Applications are subject to ERDA Board approval.
Award Amount: Reimbursement would be for installation of the exterior fire line, not to exceed an award of $15,000. The award is paid upon installation and receipt of the Certificate of Occupancy from the City of Enid. The award will expire 12 months from the award date and would then be forfeited. A 30-day extension may be requested but is not guaranteed.
Application Requirements: To qualify for reimbursement, grant must be awarded by the ERDA Board prior to beginning the installation. Include at least two bids for the cost of installing the exterior fire line to the building and complete the ERDA funding application to be considered for this grant.
