Indiana Grown announces grant funds for members interested in tradeshow exhibition

INDIANAPOLIS (Feb. 1, 2024) – Indiana Grown announced today $30,000 in available grant funding for Indiana Grown members who are interested in exhibiting at tradeshows. Grants will be awarded up for businesses with commercially ready products who want to expand.

Tradeshows offer vital exposure to unique customers and business-to-business clients, but barriers for members include the booth fee, travel expenses, set up costs and more. This grant was designed to alleviate some of those costs to ensure Hoosier businesses are highlighted and Indiana-made products can be enjoyed across the U.S. and globe.

“This new grant program will contribute to the success and growth of Indiana Grown products and businesses,” said Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, Indiana’s Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. “Tradeshows are a great opportunity for businesses to reach new markets, but they can be expensive, especially for a small business. This grant will mitigate some of those expenses and worries.”

Indiana Grown members could be awarded grants in the sum of $1,000, $3,000 or $5,000. This is a reimbursement grant, no up-front costs will be paid.

Eligible Expenses

• Booth space rental
• Booth design, build, shipping, material handling, installation and other trade show related fees
• Trade show auxiliary service fees (trash, sampling, electrical, etc.)

Eligibility

• Must be an Indiana Grown Member
• Must not be using any other grant or cost sharing program for this trade show, including Branded Program and IN-STEP
• Must have a commercially ready product with existing sales
• Must use funds to exhibit at trade show (must identify which trade show in application)
• Must be a small business – according to the U.S. Small Business Administration

“Indiana Grown is beyond excited to open these grants for our members,” said Caroline Patrick, Indiana Grown Director. “As our program enters our ninth year and members continue to grow and expand, we are thrilled to offer this opportunity to expand their products and businesses across the U.S. and the world.”

Indiana Grown members interested in applying for this grant, viewing scoring criteria and post-award requirements can find more information at www.Indianagrown.org and any questions can be directed to indianagrown@isda.in.gov.

ABOUT INDIANA GROWN
Indiana Grown is administered by the Indiana State Department of Agriculture in partnership with the lieutenant governor’s office. The initiative educates consumers on the importance of buying Indiana Grown products, helps Indiana farmers and producers sell more products and supports Indiana businesses in their efforts to process more Indiana Grown products. Indiana Grown members and partners include farmers, producers, processors and artisans, as well as retailers, grocers, hospitals and restaurants. For more information, visit indianagrown.org.