Charlotte offers supportive infrastructure and a higher quality of life.

Charlotte Small Business Programs

Charlotte offers the quality of life and supportive infrastructure that small businesses and entrepreneurs need to succeed. By serving as small business advocates and champions, our team convenes the Charlotte Business Resource Partners around supporting and celebrating business owners in ideation, startup, and growth.

Ready to Upgrade Your Resources?

If you are looking to take the next step in your business growth and need a little more guidance, one of charlotte’s key small business programs is AMP Up Charlotte, which provides the knowledge and know-how business owners need to create (and manage) a customized, three-year strategic growth plan. This hands-on program prepares business owners through business development services, mentoring, targeted training, and access to corporations and government agencies for contract and procurement opportunities.

Highlighted Programs

logo
NXT|CLT
Building on the success of AMP Up, NXT|CLT and Scale Up CLT aim to create a robust pathway of success for high growth.
Learn More
logo
Scale Up CLT
Opens the door to the Entrepreneurs Organization for minority-owned businesses in the Charlotte region.
Learn More
logo
Charlotte Business INClusion
If you are interested in learning how to do business with the City of Charlotte, check out the great small business programs run by Charlotte Business INClusion.
Learn More
logo
Charlotte Community Capital Fund
An innovative public/private fund established to assist small businesses with gaining access to capital.
Learn More
logo
Early Bird
Get a heads up on Charlotte small business programs' contract opportunities through our Early Bird system.
Learn More
logo
Small Business Mobilization Loan
Short term, low-rate financing to support temporary working capital needs for participation in City of Charlotte projects.
Learn More

Growing Quickly? Here's How We Can Help

Once success grows the scale of your business, we want to be sure to connect you to resources to meet your new needs as a medium or large business. The retention of thriving companies is important to us. Whether you are seeking to invest in your workforce or expand into global markets, we are here to help you navigate your next step.

The City and Mecklenburg County work closely together to help existing businesses with their needs. This includes connecting business owners to programs that can help make growth easy.

We can help you identify new sites if you’ve outgrown your current location, connect you to grants for upskilling your workforce, and work with you to create a successful public/private partnership.

ADDING MORE VALUE

Become a City of Charlotte Vendor

Any firm providing a product or service needed for the City to carry out our programming can become a City of Charlotte vendor by registering online.

More grants managed by Charlotte Economic Development:

list number

Business Matching Grants Program

can be used for a myriad of property improvements by companies located in our Corridors of Opportunity.

list number

Business Investment Grants

encourage the creation, retention and/or expansion of businesses in identified investment zones.

list number

Tax Increment Grants

are awarded to projects that advance economic growth and the city’s land use goals.

Learn More