Idaho Gem Grant

The program is open to any rural community with a population of 10,000 persons or less. Applications must be submitted by a city, county or tribal government. As of 2005, a community is no longer required to be a designated “Gem Community” to be eligible for an Idaho Gem Grant.

Idaho Gem Grants are focused on job creation and retention. Awards are limited to the hard implementation costs of economic development projects. Examples of eligible projects include water and sewer infrastructure for new a business, remediation of slum and blight conditions blocking business development, and matching funds for the creation of assets with a high certainty of aiding future economic development efforts.

The range of eligible projects is broad. Idaho Gem Grants may not be used for ongoing overhead, operating costs or staff costs. Additionally, funds shall not be used for the construction, rehabilitation or operation of active churches, schools, general government facilities, jails or state facilities, nor shall they be used for political activities.

Grants of up to $50,000 may be awarded to eligible communities for the purpose of developing assets directly connected to private-sector job creation. While grants may be awarded for a maximum of $50,000, Idaho Commerce will look favorably at applications demonstrating fiscal responsibility and conservatism.

Idaho Gem Grant applications will be accepted online and are reviewed on a quarterly basis, or at any time that the director of Idaho Commerce determines it necessary to take advantage of special opportunities that further the primary objectives of the IGG program. Current deadlines are the third Monday in March, June, September and December.

IGG grant applications must be submitted online via the Idaho Commerce grant portal. For access to the Idaho Commerce grant portal, email grants@commerce.idaho.gov.