Current legal cannabis applicants and those interested in entering the regulated market in Nevada County can apply for financial assistance from the County’s new Good to Grow Grants Program, beginning today through Feb. 28.
“Cannabis is a budding industry in Nevada County, but it can be cost-prohibitive for some to be able to enter the legal market. The grants can help lower cost barriers such as state, county, or fire district permitting fees or hiring engineers and architects for site planning,” said Matt Kelley, Nevada County director of code and compliance. “Our goal is to support the new legal industry in a way that protects the environment and safety of our community."
The County has partnered with the Sierra Business Council to administer and disperse approximately $1.3 million to cannabis applicants and cultivators. Potential applicants can take a short quiz first to see if they qualify before filling out the application.
These grants are the first of their kind for the Nevada County Cannabis Division. The intention is that these grants will help support this new industry. “The cannabis industry is an important piece of the Nevada County economic spectrum, and this grant will help continue the growth and maturity of this industry,” said Economic Resource Council President Gil Matthews.
Diana Gamzon, executive director of the Cannabis Alliance, appreciates the new funding opportunity. "The grant funds will directly support our local cannabis industry by aiding businesses with capital to receive business support, infrastructure improvements, and permitting and regulatory assistance,” she said. “The cannabis sector has a significant role in our local economy, and these funds will promote business growth and employment opportunities while increasing tax revenue.”
Kristin York, vice president of the Sierra Business Council, added that cannabis has long been an important part of Nevada County's economy. “SBC is proud to assist the county in helping these local farmers and small businesses.”
Grant Workshops
Sierra Business Council is hosting two workshops to answer questions for those considering applying:
To learn more, please visit www.NevadaCountyCA.gov/GoodToGrowGrants.
GOBIZ Local Jurisdiction Assistance Grant The Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) awarded Nevada County $756,000 to reduce the barriers to entering the regulated cannabis marketplace. The grant program aims to support those who want to participate in the regulated market but may be facing economic or other significant restraints that previously prevented entry, i.e., those negatively affected by illicit cannabis cultivation. The Equity Program will assist applicants with costs associated with commercial cannabis, including local and state fees, licensing, regulatory costs, capital improvements, licensed professional consultants, environmental site development, best management/sustainable practices, business and employee education, training, and assistance with bringing properties into compliance.
DCC Local Jurisdiction Assistance Grant To bolster the Equity Program and provide more funding opportunities, the Cannabis Division was awarded approximately $1.2 million through the Department of Cannabis Control’s Local Jurisdiction Assistance Grant. The Local Jurisdiction Assistance Program will also focus on allowing existing, provisional commercial cannabis applicants to transition to annual licensing, a requirement of the Department of Cannabis Control.
