E-Commerce Grant

Helping your business establish or enhance its virtual presence so you can reach more customers, therefore creating growth opportunities. There will be 2 grants awarded.

Purpose

Having a positive, customer-focused online presence is an important part of running a successful business. This grant is for businesses that add an online payments/shopping feature to their existing site (point of sale system), or mobile app development.

What It Covers

This is a 1:1 matching grant, providing up to $10,000 per business for the purposes described above.

Qualifications

  • Must have a current business license (if one is required at your location) at the time of grant application. License must remain paid and active until three years after completion of the project.
  • Work cannot have started before application approval.
  • Business cannot be in default or non-compliance with any county programs, ordinances, or taxes.
  • Must sign up for the county’s email listing, which provides business resource information including educational opportunities.
  • Must complete approved projects within one year of grant approval.
  • You must establish a new website and/or mobile app where none previously existed for your business, OR your existing website, app, and/or social media page or cybersecurity systems must be revamped or enhanced in tangible ways (e.g. accept online payments, add online shopping—catalog or cart, increase security of transactions, etc.).

Details & Exclusions

  • Recurring expenses do not qualify (e.g. hosting, monthly maintenance).
  • Receipts must be paid in full by the applicant and presented to Mecklenburg County once the project is complete to be eligible for 50% reimbursement.
  • Maximum grant of $10,000 per business.
  • Home-based businesses may apply.
  • Non-profit entities are not eligible.

How to Apply

  1. Complete, sign, and submit the grant application. Include two quotes, a copy of your current business license, and a signed IRS Form W-9. Submit via email, mail, or in person to the Mecklenburg County Economic Development Office.
  2. Receive a decision via email, along with an agreement to sign if approved.
  3. Begin the work once you return the signed agreement.