By Andi Anderson
Indiana Grown has announced the availability of $25,000 in grant funding to support its members who wish to exhibit at tradeshows. These grants aim to assist businesses with commercially ready products that are seeking to expand their reach.
The funding is intended to help cover some of the expenses associated with participating in tradeshows, such as booth fees, travel costs, and setup expenses.
Tradeshows provide crucial exposure to new customers and business-to-business opportunities, but for many Indiana Grown members, the costs associated with attending can be a barrier.
This grant program was created to help alleviate those costs, ensuring that Hoosier businesses and Indiana-made products can be showcased both across the U.S. and globally.
“These tradeshow grants are vital for small and large Indiana Grown businesses to compete on a national, or even global level,” said Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, Indiana’s Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. “Indiana Grown members and their exceptional products are able to enter new markets thanks to some of the costs saved by these tradeshow grants.”
Indiana Grown members can receive grants in the amounts of $1,000, $3,000, or $5,000. These are reimbursement grants, meaning no upfront costs will be covered, but members will be reimbursed for eligible expenses.
Eligible expenses include:
- Booth space rental
- Booth design, construction, shipping, and setup costs
- Auxiliary fees such as electrical services, sampling, and trash removal
Eligibility criteria include:
- Must be an Indiana Grown member
- Must have a commercially ready product
- Cannot use any other grant or cost-sharing program for the same tradeshow
- Must be a small business as defined by the U.S. Small Business Administration
“Multiple Indiana Grown members were able to attend tradeshows across the country last year and expand their business opportunities,” said Caroline Patrick, Indiana Grown Director. “We hope to continue showcasing and supporting Indiana Grown businesses across the country and globe through offering this grant program.”
For more details on applying, Indiana Grown members can contact the organization at indianagrown@isda.in.gov or visit the Indiana Grown website.
Photo Credit: indiana-grown
Categories: Indiana, Business