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 Grant Program. The County has partnered with the Sierra Business Council to administer and disperse approximately $1.3 million to cannabis applicants and cultivators.
To apply, review FAQs and then do an eligibility quiz
- Potential applicants are encouraged to review the Frequently Asked Questions section below before taking the eligibility quiz.
- Take the Eligibility Quiz and Application.
Application period opened February 1, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. and runs through February 28, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. PST.
Grant workshops
Sierra Business Council is hosting two workshops to answer questions for those considering applying for the grants:
- Thursday, February 8, 6 p.m.-Board of Supervisors Chambers, Rood Center, 950 Maidu Ave., Nevada City
- Thursday, February 22, 5 p.m.-Zoom: NevadaCountyCA.gov
About the program
The Nevada County Good to Grow Grant Program is intended to address the challenges that are a result of the historical criminalization of cannabis and to create a more equitable and inclusive cannabis industry. The Grant Program has secured two separate grant funds from the Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) and the Department of Cannabis Control (DCC). The program has been designed to provide support and assistance to existing cannabis applicants and those who may be interested in entering the regulated cannabis market.
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.
Application period
All applications received between February 1, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. and February 28, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. PST will be considered. Applications will be evaluated, with the grant funds to be distributed among all applicants found eligible according to the eligibility requirements.
This is not a first-come, first-served program. Applications will be evaluated as they are submitted, and final amounts will not be determined or distributed until after the application period has closed on February 28 at 11:59 p.m. PST.
Source: www.nevadacountyca.gov