Delaware Economic Development Authority (DEDA) Site Readiness Fund Grant for Business Growth

Grant Overview

Funding for Commercial and Industrial Site Development in Delaware to Boost Economic Growth

Donor: Delaware Economic Development Authority (DEDA), State of Delaware

About: The Delaware Economic Development Authority (DEDA) offers the Site Readiness Fund to catalyze economic growth and stability across the state. This pivotal program is designed to transform promising commercial and industrial sites into shovel-ready locations, making Delaware more competitive in attracting new business and supporting the expansion of existing enterprises. By providing financial assistance for site development, the fund aims to generate new job opportunities, increase the state’s tax base, and foster a diverse and robust industrial landscape for the benefit of all Delawareans. Navigating state-level funding applications can be complex, but our team at Grantaura offers expert grant writing services to help you prepare a compelling and compliant proposal.

The Site Readiness Fund is structured into two distinct tiers to support projects at various stages of development. Level 1 provides grants of up to $100,000 for foundational activities essential in the early phases of site preparation. This includes critical due diligence work such as land surveys, wetland delineation studies, Phase 1 & 2 Environmental Site Assessments, and preliminary planning and engineering. This initial support is crucial for identifying and mitigating potential barriers to development, laying the groundwork for more significant investment. For entrepreneurs needing to articulate their vision, Grantaura’s business plan development service can create the professional documentation required for such applications.

For projects that are past the initial assessment phase and ready for significant physical improvements, Level 2 offers substantial awards of up to $1,000,000. This higher-tier funding is targeted for advanced activities associated with developing a site or area, such as the construction of essential infrastructure and utility projects, engineering and development for rail extensions, and other forms of advanced planning and engineering. These investments are critical for creating fully-serviced sites that can immediately accommodate major business operations. This is a prime example of a grant for for-profit businesses looking to make a significant capital investment.

This program is open to a wide range of applicants, including private landowners, for-profit business entities, public bodies like counties and municipalities, and utility providers who are positioned to enhance a site’s development potential. The overarching requirement is that the project demonstrates a clear public benefit and utility advantage for the citizens of Delaware. The application process is managed on a rolling basis, meaning proposals are accepted continuously until all funds are allocated. Applicants are strongly encouraged to connect with their regional business manager for guidance before submission. To explore other opportunities, such as the Maryland Made Grant for businesses in neighboring states, browse our comprehensive listings.

The application itself is comprehensive, requiring detailed project descriptions, financial statements, business licenses, and other supporting exhibits. This ensures that funded projects are viable and aligned with the state’s economic goals. Given the detailed requirements, leveraging professional assistance can be invaluable. Grantaura provides a suite of services, from grant research to find complementary funding, like the Pennsylvania Small Business Grant, to preparing the necessary financial documents and submitting the final application package, ensuring your project is presented in the most competitive light.

Focus: Site development, Infrastructure projects, Utility projects, Rail extension, Environmental site assessments, Preliminary planning, Engineering studies, Job creation, Economic development, Commercial sites, Industrial sites

Region: New Castle County,  Kent County, Sussex County, Delaware, United States

Eligibility:
– Private Landowners
– Equitable Landowners/Developers
– Utility Providers
– Public Entities, including Counties and Municipalities
– For-profit business structures, including:
— Sole Proprietorship
— General Partnership
— Limited Partnership
— C-Corp
— S-Corp
— LLC

Benefits:
– Level 1 Grant: Up to $100,000 for initial studies and activities in the early stages of site development. This includes surveys, wetland delineation studies, Phase 1 & 2 Environmental Site Assessments, and preliminary planning and engineering.
– Level 2 Grant: Up to $1,000,000 for advanced activities associated with developing a site or area. This includes infrastructure and utility projects, rail extension engineering and development, and advanced planning and engineering.

Deadline: Rolling

Terms:
– DEDA: Delaware Economic Development Authority, the state agency responsible for administering the grant.
– Site Readiness: The process of preparing a commercial or industrial site with the necessary infrastructure, zoning, and assessments to make it attractive for business investment and development.
– Phase 1 & 2 Environmental Site Assessments: Investigations to determine if a property has environmental contamination. Phase 1 involves research and site inspection, while Phase 2 includes sampling and analysis if contamination is suspected.
– Public Utility Advantage: A demonstrated benefit to the public resulting from the project, such as job creation, increased tax revenue, or expanded services, which is a key criterion for this fund.