State Incentives

The following is a list of programs and incentives administered by the Department of Commerce. For detailed information and forms, click on the program title.

• Credits for Growing Businesses – Article 3J Credits
• Community Development Block Grants
  These funds may be accessed by local government applicants (municipal or county, excluding entitlement cities or designated urban counties) with proposed projects that involve a specific business creating or retaining jobs.
• One North Carolina Fund
  The One North Carolina Fund may provide financial assistance to those businesses or industries deemed by the Governor to be vital to a healthy and growing State economy and are making significant efforts to locate or expand in North Carolina. The fund is a competitive fund and the location or expansion must be in competition with another location outside of North Carolina. Criteria for the program is available through the NC Department of Commerce Finance Center.
• Job Development Investment Grant
  This discretionary incentive may provide sustained annual grants to new and expanding business measured against a percentage of withholding taxes paid by new employees. The program is competitive and the Economic Investment Committee, which oversees it can award up to 15 grants in a calendar year. Contact the NC Department of Commerce Finance Center for the detailed criteria.
• Worker Training Assistance
  Attracting and training a skilled and motivated workforce is crucial to any new or expanding company. No state has more experience helping companies with these important issues than North Carolina. The state pioneered free, customized job training for new and expanding businesses in 1958 and continues to provide the nation's most recognized customized job training service. Helping businesses maintain their competitive edge is a primary role of the North Carolina Community Colleges and their Customized Training and Development services. This specialized workforce-training program has helped build success for companies that now call North Carolina home, and contributed to the multiple rankings that list North Carolina's business climate as one of the best in the nation.
• Incumbent Worker Program
  The Incumbent Worker Program will allow NC employers to apply for grants for employee-training programs. The program allows employers across the state, both private and non-profit businesses, to apply for grants of up to $50,000 for workforce training.