Not convinced there are manufacturing grants worth pursuing? Consider this sampling of grants available in states with an above-average number of springmakers:

Michigan Industry 4.0 Technology Implementation Grant

MEDC’s Industry 4.0 grant program will provide 50% reimbursement for qualifying I4.0 technology costs up to $25,000. Companies must complete an Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center (MMTC) I4.0 Technology Assessment  prior to the award or provide documentation of an executed strategy for determining which technology to implement. Applications are accepted on a continuous basis.

Companies must be an Essential Member with Automation Alley (free) or be an existing Automation Alley member. For more information visit: www.automationalley.com/become-a-member. Technologies eligible for this grant program include hardware/software related to the following I4.0 categories. Preference will be given to transformative technologies (denoted *):

• Additive Manufacturing & Advanced Materials*
• Artificial Intelligence*
• Big Data
• Cloud Computing
• Cybersecurity
• Industrial Internet of Things (IoT)
• Modeling, Simulation, Visualization & Immersion
• Robotics/Automation*
• Connected Worker Platforms & Wearables

Ohio Safety Intervention Grant (SIG) Program

The SIG Program is open to any Ohio private or public employer covered by the State Insurance Fund for the purchase of equipment to substantially reduce or eliminate injuries and illnesses associated with a particular task or operation. Recipients are eligible for a 3-to-1 matching grant, up to a maximum grant award of $40,000 for each three-year eligibility cycle. This means Ohio’s Bureau of Worker’s Compensation (BWC) gives $3 for every $1 the employer contributes. Applications are accepted on a continuous basis.

Illinois’ State Trade and Export Promotion (ISTEP)

The ISTEP grant program provides Illinois’ small businesses with both financial and technical assistance to increase their exports. The ISTEP program includes 5 options for Illinois’ companies to grow their export sales: Group Trade Missions, Individual Foreign Market Sales Missions, and Product Compliance, Website Localization and Ex-Im Bank: Export Credit Insurance. Grants provide 50% of eligible costs, not to exceed $10,000 per company. Applications are accepted on a continuous basis

Pennsylvania Commonwealth Financing Authority Solar Energy Program (SEP)

The SEP provides financial assistance in the form of grant and loan funds to promote the use of solar energy in Pennsylvania. Grants for component manufacturers of solar energy generation equipment up to $5,000 for every new job created within three years after approval of the loan. Grants for solar energy generation or distribution projects shall not exceed $1 million or $1.50 per watt, whichever is less. Applications are evaluated on an ongoing basis.

Wisconsin Automation Implementation Grant

The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) and the Wisconsin Manufacturing Extension Partnership Network will lower the risk of automation technology implementations by providing expertise and offsetting some of the costs. The two-step process enables manufacturers to select the most appropriate technology, plan effective implementation and receive financial support for acquiring that technology.

The process starts with individual manufacturers completing an Automation Advisor project with WMEP Manufacturing Solutions or the UW-Stout Manufacturing Outreach Center, resulting in an automation implementation roadmap with equipment recommended through that assessment. This roadmap lays out a sequenced technology acquisition and implementation plan tailored to the specific operation.

Completing the roadmap makes the company eligible for financial support for acquiring the equipment listed in the roadmap.

Equipment purchased or leased between January 1, 2024 – December 31, 2025, is eligible for reimbursement. Reimbursement of up to 20% of total equipment cost (capped at $35,000 for purchased equipment) or up to 10% of total equipment lease expense (capped at $15,000 for leased equipment), contingent upon availability of WEDC funds.

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