About this programme
The JobsOhio Small Business Grant is a state-level growth grant for existing small businesses in Ohio, run by JobsOhio — the state's private, non-profit economic development corporation — in partnership with a network of seven regional development organizations that cover the state.
The grant is not delivered directly by JobsOhio itself. Instead, JobsOhio funds and sets the rules for the program, and each of the seven regional network partners (covering the Northwest, Northeast, East, West, Central, Southwest, and Southeast regions of Ohio) handles intake, project discussion, and the application relationship with businesses in its territory.
It is aimed at businesses that already have a track record and are ready to fund a specific growth project — a facility upgrade, new equipment, or similar capital investment — rather than at pre-revenue startups. JobsOhio's published Program Guidelines state that qualifying projects may be eligible for up to $50,000 in funding support, within an overall program cap of $8 million in available funding per year.
Since the program launched in 2020, JobsOhio reports it has supported small-business projects representing $284 million in company investment, more than 10,000 retained small-business jobs (with $574 million in associated payroll), and over 2,900 created jobs (with $153 million in associated payroll).
How it works
A business identifies an eligible growth project — for example, acquiring or improving a facility, buying machinery or equipment, adding rolling stock, purchasing industry-specific software, or funding training — where grant support is instrumental to getting the project done.
Because JobsOhio does not take applications directly, the business's project is routed through the regional network partner assigned to its part of Ohio, who works with the business on the application and project details.
The Program Guidelines state that qualifying projects may be eligible for up to $50,000 in funding support; they do not describe a matching-fund requirement, and note that grant funding from JobsOhio is reimbursement-based — a company submits documentation and proof of payment before receiving funds, after signing a legal agreement committing it to the project's job, payroll, and investment metrics.
Who can apply
To be eligible, a business must report annual revenues between $100,000 and $25 million, operate within one of JobsOhio's 10 target industries with revenue that is primarily business-to-business (B2B), have at least one year of operating history, and be able to demonstrate an eligible investment where grant support is instrumental to completing the project.
The official page names the eligible use-of-funds categories as facility acquisition or improvement, machinery and equipment, rolling stock, industry-specific software, and training programs, plus other costs the Program Guidelines may list; it does not publish the specific list of the 10 qualifying target industries on this page.
How to apply
- Identify the JobsOhio regional network partner that covers your part of Ohio (Northwest, Northeast, East, West, Central, Southwest, or Southeast) from the contact list on JobsOhio's Small Business Grant page.
- Contact that regional partner directly — JobsOhio's page instructs applicants to "Reach Out to Your Network Partner to Apply" rather than applying through a central JobsOhio portal or an on-page intake form.
- Review the full Program Guidelines (linked from the official page) for the complete eligibility, eligible-cost, and documentation requirements before your conversation with the regional partner.
Frequently asked
How much can the JobsOhio Small Business Grant provide?
JobsOhio's application intake page states the grant provides up to $50,000 in funding support for real estate investments, equipment, and other qualifying project costs. The main program page does not restate a maximum figure and directs applicants to the Program Guidelines for full financial detail.
Do I apply to JobsOhio directly?
No. JobsOhio sets the program and funds it, but applications are handled through one of seven regional network partners assigned by geography across Ohio. You either contact your regional partner directly or submit the short intake form on the JobsOhio site, and a network partner follows up.
What kind of business qualifies?
A qualifying business needs annual revenue between $100,000 and $25 million, at least one year of operating history, primarily B2B revenue, and must operate in one of JobsOhio's 10 target industries. The business also needs an eligible growth project where the grant is instrumental to completing it.
What can the grant money be used for?
The published eligible-use categories are facility acquisition or improvement, machinery and equipment, rolling stock, industry-specific software, and training programs, with additional eligible costs described in the full Program Guidelines.
Which regional partner should I contact in Ohio?
JobsOhio's page lists one contact per region: Northwest (Chase Eikenbary, RGP), Northeast (Stephen Caviness, Team NEO), East (Sarah Boyarko, Lake to River Ohio), West (Erin Neely, Dayton Development Coalition), Central (Joe Henderson, Columbus Region), Southwest (Cierra Clymer, REDI Cincinnati), and Southeast (Brad Peoples, Ohio Southeast Economic Development). Reach out to whichever covers your business location.
Is there an application deadline?
JobsOhio's official page does not list an application deadline or a fixed application window; the program is presented as ongoing, run through the regional network partners rather than in dated cycles.
Reviewed 2026-08-16. Programmes change — confirm current eligibility, amounts and deadlines on the official page before you apply. CapEasy is a private consultancy and is not affiliated with any government authority.