Tempe businesses that produce small quantities of items have the chance to apply for up to $25,000 to grow their operations through a program funded by the city and the federal government.

The purpose of the grant is to lift local entrepreneurs – with a focus on minority entrepreneurs - and help them overcome the most significant obstacles in growing a business, according to a Tempe release.

Grants may be used to cover the cost of space, raw materials and equipment necessary for micro-manufacturing. Micro-manufacturing is the creation of products in small quantities, often using smaller manufacturing facilities.

Micro-manufacturers may qualify for up to $25,000 in the program, which has $800,000, including $500,000 from the federal Congressional Community Project Funding and $300,000 from the city of Tempe budget, according to the release.

Deadline to apply for the grant is Friday, Oct. 14. Visit tempe.gov/ManufacturingGrant for details.

“I'm proud that in partnership with Mayor (Corey) Woods and the city of Tempe, we’ve brought back half a million dollars in federal funds to Tempe to support micro-manufacturers,” said Rep. Greg Stanton. “I’m excited to see the good ideas that grow out of this grant program — and to continue to work with local leaders to support small businesses and boost domestic manufacturing right here in Arizona.”

Woods said “investing in small businesses is one way to grow our economy. A grant of $25,000 can be all that is needed to see someone’s dream come to life and bring prosperity to them, their family and our whole community.”

Grant recipients will be selected by five nonprofit organizations known for providing business training, support and mentorship, with oversight by Tempe Economic Development representatives. These organizations include:

• FABRIC Tempe is set up to provide apparel entrepreneurs with all of the guidance, they need to start and grow a business that manufactures sewn products.
• Hustle PHX offers the 101 Entrepreneurship Program, which affords participants the intellectual, social and financial capital along with mentorship to support them in building a business. They have helped launch 300 small businesses.
• Pacific Southwest Minority Supplier Development Council is a leading non-profit that has been advocating for Minority Business Enterprises since 1993. The non-profit has programs addressing the specific issues of small minority enterprises, with an emphasis on small Black-owned manufacturing businesses.
• RAIL CDC’s Equitable Small Business Technical Assistance Program provides free one-on-one consulting and technical assistance services to business owners and entrepreneurs in our commercial corridors.
• The Tempe Chamber of Commerce has been serving the business community for over 100 years in the areas of funding, marketing, HR, management and others.