Financial Opportunities

These are some organizations/websites available offering financial support to recycling businesses in the form of grants, loans, etc.

DEACS Recycling Business Assistance Center – offers grants to NC recycling businesses and additional financing resources for recycling businesses.
DEACS Local Government Recycling Assistance Team – offers waste reduction and recycling grants for NC local governments.
Division of Waste Management – offers tax exemption on equipment and facilities used exclusively for recycling and resource recovery.

Self-Help –a community development lender that has provided more than $3.9 billion in financing to more than 43,000 home buyers, small businesses and nonprofits nationwide.
Natural Capital Investment Fund – funds small and emerging triple-bottom line businesses providing loans from $15,000 to $2,500,000 in the Southeast region.
ShadeFund: can help secure gap funding for startup companies.
SJF Ventures: a community development venture capital fund that finances companies that foster sustainable communities through employment, revitalization, resources efficiency and environmental benefits.
iNCentives: provides lists of incentives in NC, from business resources and human resources to natural resources, that give companies a competitive advantage.
Slow Money NC: a non-profit that connects people who want to make affordable, peer-to-peer loans to the sustainable farmers and local food businesses in their community who have a viable need for capital.
The Support Center: a non-profit and Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) that provides small business loans and financial training to start-ups and existing businesses and lending services to community-based organizations.

Business Link North Carolina: free assistance to start your business.
Small Business and Technology Development Center (SBTDC): helps small and emerging business owners meet the challenges of today's business environment, manage that ever-changing world, and plan for the future of their business.
SBTDC’s Business Start-Up & Resource Guide (pdf)
NC Small Business Center Network (NCSBC): offers a wide range of programs and services for existing and prospective business owners.
Self-Guided Business Assessment (pdf)
How to Develop a Business Plan: A Guide for Established Businesses
Information for Expanding a Business

NC Secretary of State Website
NC Department of Labor New Business Packet Request Form: designed for businesses that have recently opened or are getting ready to open in NC.
Southeastern OSHA Training Institute (OTI) Education Center: training for employees in the basics of occupational safety and health.
NC Rural Center's Institute for Rural Entrepreneurship: provides information on rural development, young entrepreneurs, statistics, and more.
Navigating Business Services in North Carolina (pdf)
NC LEAP (North Carolina Lawyers for Entrepreneurs Assistance Project): provides services to low-wealth entrepreneurs through education, patenting services, and legal representation.

NC Small Business Center Network (NCSBC): offers a wide range of programs and services for existing and prospective business owners.
How to Develop a Business Plan: A Guide for Established Businesses
Information for Expanding a Business
Small Business and Technology Development Center (SBTDC): helps small and emerging business owners meet the challenges of today's business environment, manage that ever-changing world, and plan for the future of their business.
Strategy and Organizational Development tools that help owners and managers identify priorities and strategies to evaluate their company in areas such as management vision, finance, marketing, human resources, operations and information technology.
Forums and other training events that assist companies in strategic planning and positioning to help them gain long-term competitive advantage.

DSIRE is an ongoing project of the NC Solar Center and the Interstate Renewable Energy Council funded by the U.S. Department of Energy and is a comprehensive source of information on state, local, utility, and federal incentives and policies that promote renewable energy and energy efficiency.
The NC State Energy Office. The State Energy Office is North Carolina's lead agency for energy programs and services and is the official source for energy information and assistance for consumers, businesses, government agencies, community colleges and schools and the residential, commercial and industrial sectors.
The NC Green Business Fund. This program awards funds to North Carolina small for-profit and non-profit businesses, and State and local governmental entities, to encourage the development and commercialization of promising green technologies. The Commerce Department's Office of Science and Technology administers the program.
Sustainable Tourism Resources are available from the Economic Development of NC (EDPNC) - Division of Travel and Tourism.

For questions, please contact a staff member.