Indiana Grown announced today, Oct. 16 that $25,000 in grant funding for Indiana Grown members who are interested in exhibiting at tradeshows is available to disburse.
The grants are expected to be awarded to businesses with commercially-ready products who want to expand by attending tradeshows, which off exposure to unique customers and business-to-business clients. The organization stated that barriers for members to attend the shows may include the booth fee, travel expenses, set up costs and more that the grants aim to address.
Lieutenant Governor Suzanne Crouch, who serves as Indiana’s Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development, commented about the goal of the grants being to alleviate a portion of the costs that Hoosier businesses experience that may act as a barrier to dispersing their Indiana-made products across the nation and the globe.
“These tradeshow grants are vital for small and large Indiana Grown businesses to compete on a national, or even global level,” Crouch said. “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 could be awarded grants in the sum of $1,000, $3,000 or $5,000. This is a reimbursement grant, no up-front costs will be paid.
Eligible Expenses
- Booth space rental
- Booth design, build, shipping, material handling, installation and other trade show related fees
- Trade show auxiliary service fees (trash, sampling, electrical, etc.)
Eligibility
- Must be an Indiana Grown Member
- Must not be using any other grant or cost sharing program for this trade show, including Branded Program and IN-STEP
- Must have a commercially ready product with existing sales
- Must use funds to exhibit at trade show (must identify which trade show in application)
- Must be a small business – according to 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.”
Indiana Grown members interested in applying for this grant, viewing scoring criteria and post-award requirements can find more information here. Any questions can be directed to indianagrown@isda.in.gov.