Idaho Gem Grant (ID)

The Idaho Gem Grant Program (IGG) supports rural communities with populations of 10,000 or less by providing grants up to $50,000 for economic development projects. These projects must focus on job creation and retention, with funding covering hard implementation costs such as infrastructure and asset creation. The program encourages fiscal responsibility in applications and is open to city, county, or tribal governments, enhancing community growth and development opportunities.

NOTE: 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.
Economic development is a true gem.
The Idaho Gem Grant Program (IGG) provides assistance to rural communities for the planning and implementation of economic development projects.
Eligible Activities
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.
Funding
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.

Eligibility

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.

Ineligibility

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.