Empower To Grow (E2G) Progrom GCBD 7j 2025 01 REVISED 0509.pdf

This document is a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the U.S. Small Business Administration's Empower to Grow (E2G) Program Manufacturing initiative for Fiscal Year 2025. The funding opportunity seeks proposals from for-profit and non-profit organizations to provide management and technical assistance to eligible small manufacturing businesses, with a special focus on HUBZone firms. The total estimated funding is up to $1,148,658, with SBA expecting to make up to three awards. Applicants must submit electronic proposals via Grants.gov by May 12, 2025, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time.

The grant will fund a 12-month base project period with four potential 12-month option periods, contingent on continuing program authority, fund availability, and recipient performance. Eligible applicants must have at least three years of continuous existence, experience providing technical assistance to small manufacturing businesses, and the capacity to deliver manufacturing-related training and consulting. Evaluation criteria include organizational experience (25 points), project management (20 points), project design (35 points), collaboration and resource leveraging (10 points), and ability to reach special target markets (10 points). The program aims to support small manufacturing businesses by addressing workforce development, technical skills training, and operational challenges, with a focus on industries like timber, energy, aluminum, steel, digital manufacturing, and automotive sectors.