Build to Scale (B2S)

Federal Agency

Sub-Department

Economic Development Administration (EDA)

Purpose

To develop and support regional tech-based economic development initiatives that accelerate high quality job growth, create more economic opportunities, and support the future of the next generation of industry leading companies

Applicant and/or Project Eligibility Requirements

Project eligibility specifications vary by program (Venture Challenge, Capital Challenge, and Industry Challenge).

Decarbonization Considerations

This funding can support the public infrastructure needed to create new or enhance existing programs for clean energy, hydrogen, battery storage, or electric supply chain opportunities. Explore integrating new clean energy and EV supply chain manufacturing hubs/business parks into comprehensive economic development plans as part of your diversification strategy. Where possible, consider whether partnerships with universities, community college, and industry could be leveraged to launch an economic diversification and workforce development strategy to promote and enhance the growth of emerging clean energy industries and retain local talent.

Equity Considerations

This is an opportunity to enhance supply chains, attract new energy and transportation sectors, and provide job training for out of work energy and industry professionals or those looking to transition to clean energy, electrification, and EV supply chain related industries.

Helpful Tips

Unlike many EDA programs, this program does not require eligibility through regional distress criteria. Applicants should still emphasize, if possible, how such funding can be a transformative investment for their community to further technology-based economic development initiatives that accelerate high-quality job growth, create more economic opportunities, and support the future of the next generation of industry-leading companies. Public-private partnerships to accelerate entrepreneurship and company growth are also encouraged to apply.

Other Notes

In 2020, Department of Energy partnered with EDA to provide $4 million in funding to pilot the Industry Challenge, which supports entrepreneurship and accelerate company growth within the Blue Economy for the FY20 cycle. View the FY20 Industry Challenge grantees here: https://eda.gov/oie/buildtoscale/industry/2020/