Top Small Business Grants in Ohio

Ohio has almost 1.2 million small business owners statewide who can apply for small business grants. Submitting an application and competing for Ohio small business grants can help you grow your small or medium-sized enterprise in the Buckeye State.

Ohio’s statewide economy has a gross domestic product of $741.2 billion as of the last quarter of 2025. The Buckeye State has the seventh largest GDP in the United States out of the 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Learn about some of the top small business grants in Ohio that you can explore.

Grants for Small Businesses in Ohio

If you’re looking for small business grants in Ohio, here are some potential options to consider.

International Market Access Grant for Exporters (IMAGE)

•   Program description: The IMAGE program can help you export your goods or services from the Buckeye State to foreign markets.

•   Incentive: Eligible businesses can receive up to $10,000 in reimbursements for eligible business expenses, including translations of company marketing materials and international trade show participation costs.

•   General requirements: Here are some of the general requirements for this grant:

◦   Be an Ohio small business owner

◦   Manufacture, assemble, and distribute a product or provide an exportable service

◦   Have a strategic plan for exporting

◦   Have a product or service consisting of at least 51% U.S. content

◦   Have at least 12 months of operational experience

◦   Be in good standing with all Ohio state regulatory agencies

◦   Attest that you will not enter knowingly into any transactions with a person in the Excluded Parties List System

•   How to apply: You can apply for IMAGE and export training grants on Ohio’s Department of Development application portal.

Safety Intervention Grant (SIG) Program

•   Program description: The SIG Program provides matching grants to eligible employers who buy workplace equipment to substantially reduce or eliminate injuries and illnesses associated with a particular task or operation.

•   Incentive: Receive up to $40,000 in matching funds comprising $3 for every $1 you contribute toward making your workplace safer.

•   General requirements: Here are some of the general requirements for this grant:

◦   Be a private or public taxing district employer covered by Ohio’s State Insurance Fund

◦   Maintain active coverage

◦   Complete sufficient payroll or true-up reporting as required

◦   Be current on all monies owed to the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC)

◦   Demonstrate a need for safety intervention

◦   Provide one-year baseline data

•   How to apply: As of March 31, 2026, the program is temporarily closed due to demand, but when it reopens, you can apply for SIG funding through the BWC online grant management portal.

Substance Use Prevention and Recovery Program (SUPR) Grants

•   Program description: SUPR grants can offset some of the costs of fostering a drug-free workplace. There are four levels at which workplaces can participate.

•   Incentive: Be reimbursed up to $5,000 for some of the costs involved in developing policies and procedures in conjunction with legal review, educating employees on the misuse of alcohol and other drugs, and offering relevant supervisor training.

•   General requirements: Here are some of the general requirements for this grant.

◦   Be a private, state-fund employer or a public employer taxing district covered by Ohio’s State Insurance Fund

◦   Have active Ohio workers’ compensation coverage and maintain continuous active coverage while participating in the program

◦   Be current on all monies owed to BWC

◦   Have reported payroll for at least one full policy year

◦   Be in an active policy status

•   How to apply: Access the SUPR grant application online and mail your completed application to the BWC.

Toledo Facade Improvement Grant Program

•   Program description: The City of Toledo typically offers Facade Improvement Grant funding to eligible property owners who upgrade or enhance the facade of a building used for commercial, industrial, or mixed-use purposes.

•   Incentive: Be reimbursed up to $30,000 for implementing a comprehensive facade improvement project that enhances the safety, appearance, or street-level experience of an eligible building in the City of Toledo.

•   General requirements: Here are some of the general requirements for this grant if you’re a small business owner:

◦   Own eligible property in the City of Toledo zoned for commercial, industrial, or other appropriate purposes with a ground-level commercial space that’s occupied or being marketed for occupancy

◦   Be in good standing with local, state, and federal government agencies

◦   Propose a comprehensive facade improvement project to an eligible building

◦   The following businesses are not eligible for this grant:

■   Self storage

■   Car wash

■   Internet cafe

■   Tobacco/vape/marijuana stores

■   Pawn shops

■   Payday loan businesses

■   Weapons dealers

■   Adult entertainment

■   Exclusively residential

•   How to apply: Anyone interested in Toledo’s Facade Improvement Grant Program can apply, noting the application deadlines on the website.

Who Provides Small Business Grants in Ohio?

Local and state government agencies, including the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation, offer a variety of small business grants in Ohio.

You can compare small business grants in Ohio with similar programs in other states, such as:

•   Illinois small business grants

•   Indiana small business grants

•   Maryland small business grants

Do You Have to Pay Back a Small Business Grant?

A small business grant typically comes with terms and conditions, and you may be responsible for paying back the grant if you violate those terms. In general, small and midsized business owners are not required to pay back an SMB grant absent any violations.

To accept a small business grant, typically you have to sign a funding agreement. As mentioned above, the grant may come with certain conditions that should be noted there. Using the grant for an illegitimate purpose may violate the agreement and require business owners to pay back the grant.

Additionally, small business grants may require you to spend the money by a certain date. You may also have to provide proof of payment and a written statement detailing how you’ve spent the grant.

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Who Is Eligible for Small Business Grants in Ohio?

Local business owners or operators of an enterprise with fewer than 500 employees may be eligible for small business grants in Ohio.

The U.S. Small Business Administration’s Office of Advocacy generally defines a small business as an independent business having fewer than 500 employees. A small business, including individuals with freelancing business ideas, may be eligible for small business grants.

What Industries Does Ohio Support With Grants?

Ohio offers a variety of grants supporting the following industries:

•   Advanced manufacturing

•   Aerospace

•   Construction

•   Dairy product manufacturing

•   Landscaping services

•   Nursing and residential care facilities

•   Packaging and labeling services

•   Retail trade (store and nonstore retailers)

Ohio Resources for SMB Owners Looking for Funding

Here are some resources for small and medium-sized businesses looking for funding in the Buckeye State.

Ohio Small Business Development Center (SBDC)

Ohio’s Small Business Development Centers are part of a statewide program that can provide Ohio’s small business owners with the following services:

•   Export assistance

•   One-on-one business counseling at no cost

•   Workshops and training programs

SBA District Offices in Ohio

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is a federal agency that provides resources and support to small business owners. The SBA has two district offices in Ohio:

•   SBA Columbus District Office. This SBA district serves 60 counties in central and southern Ohio. Depending on where you’re based, you can contact the main office in Columbus, satellite office in Cincinnati, or the virtual office in Dayton.

•   SBA Cleveland District Office. This SBA district serves 28 urban and rural counties in northern Ohio. It’s based in Cleveland.

Recommended: SBA Loan Calculator

Alternative Funding Sources for Small Businesses in Ohio

Here are some alternative funding sources for small businesses in Ohio.

Ohio State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI)

Ohio’s SSBCI is a federally funded program for small business owners in the Buckeye State. Federal law — the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 — allocates more than $182 million to Ohio’s State Small Business Credit Initiative program.

Here’s how Ohio uses some of the SSBCI funding:

•   Ohio Venture Fund — $102 million. This program helps eligible growth-stage technology companies access venture capital.

•   Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Loan Participation Program — $45.7 million. This program uses SSBCI funds alongside private funds to support loans to Ohio entrepreneurs who need financing for working capital, research and development, real estate transactions, or other eligible purposes.

•   Ohio Early Stage Focus Fund — $11.5 million. This program helps eligible early-stage technology companies access venture capital, including minority woman-owned small businesses in the Buckeye State.

Ohio Microloan Lenders

Community-based nonprofits may offer microloans of up to $50,000 to small business owners in Ohio, including microloans for women-owned small businesses. In general, microloans can range from $500 to $50,000 and may be available to startups.

Ohio SMB Loans from Private Lenders

Banks, credit unions, and private lenders may offer different types of small business loans to Ohio business owners.

Here are some of the funding products you might consider, depending on your needs:

•   Commercial real estate loans

•   Equipment financing

•   Small business loans for startups

•   Working capital lines of credit

Recommended: Small Business Loans in Ohio

The Takeaway

Ohio small businesses can explore a number of different grants, ranging from state and local governments to private sources.

If you’re seeking financing for your business, SoFi is here to support you. On SoFi’s marketplace, you can shop and compare financing options for your business in minutes.

With SoFi’s marketplace, it’s fast and easy to search for your small business financing options.

FAQ

How do you get a small business grant in Ohio?

You can apply for Ohio small business grants, but there’s no guarantee you’ll get approved for one. To be considered, you will probably have to submit a grant application showing that you are an eligible small business owner in Ohio.

How hard is it to get a business loan in Ohio?

You may have difficulty getting a small business loan in Ohio if you have bad credit or insufficient business experience. You generally have to pay back business loans with interest, and lenders will want to know you won’t default on the payments.

What is the easiest SBA loan to get approved for?

There’s no guarantee you’ll be approved for any SBA loan, but SBA microloans may be one of the easier ones to obtain if you’re a new business owner. Startups may be eligible for SBA microloans of up to $50,000. If you’re looking for a streamlined application process, SBA Express working capital loans are an option you may want to consider.

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