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Manufacturing Assistance Program (MAP) Grants

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The Hawaiʻi manufacturing industry, albeit small, is important to our economy. These companies make the Made In Hawaiʻi brand a global commodity. Hawaiʻi food products, clothing, and other products are sought throughout the world. Our manufacturers need assistance in controlling costs, making sure employees are well trained, and securing the latest technology to grow their business.

Overview

HTDC’s Manufacturing Assistance Program (MAP) grant offers Hawaiʻi-based manufacturers up to a 20% reimbursement (up to $100,000) on qualified expenses to help Hawaiʻi manufacturers become globally competitive.

For the fiscal year 2024, HTDC’s INNOVATE Hawaiʻi program has been funded $2M by the Hawaiʻi State Legislators. Applications will likely open in fall 2024.

Funding Amounts in 2024

Applications Received

69

Companies Funded

63

Grants Awarded

$1.8 M

Company Match

$16.1 M

How to Apply

Opening Dates and Deadlines

Eligibility

Eligible companies must:

  • Be registered to do business in Hawaiʻi and current on all State tax liabilities.
  • Be compliant in Hawaiʻi Compliance Express (HCE) (View a sample certificate.)
  • The company’s line of business must be categorized as manufacturing as defined by the Federal North American Industry Classification System (NAICS). Line of business codes must begin with 31, 32, or 33. To look up your company’s line of business code visit the NAICS website and search for keywords related to your business to find your NAICS code. For instance, searching for “bakery” you would find codes related to bakeries such as:
  • 311812 – Soft pretzels made in a commercial bakery
  • 311812 – Bakery products, fresh (i.e., bread, cakes, doughnuts, pastries), made in commercial bakeries
  • 311813 – Desserts, frozen bakery, manufacturing
  • 311813 – Crullers, frozen, made in a commercial bakery
  • 311821 – Bakery products, dry (e.g., biscuits, cookies, crackers), manufacturing
  • You will also be required to provide a Dun & Bradstreet number (also known as DUNS Number) prior to receiving any grant funds. If you do not have a Dun & Bradstreet number or are unsure, email us at mfggrant@htdc.org and we can assist you.
  • By accepting a MAP award, grantees agree to complete both the HTDC Annual Economic Impact Survey and the INNOVATE Hawaiʻi National Institute of Standards & Technology Manufacturing Extension Partnership Survey for a period of five years from date of award. The grantee must also agree to keep the purchases made under the grant in the State for a minimum of two years. HTDC and INNOVATE Hawaiʻi may request further information which will be used to highlight a company’s achievements and the success of the grant programs. INNOVATE Hawaiʻi is also available to assist companies with services beyond the grant project.

How Applications Are Scored

  • Application criteria includes justification of qualified expenses and benefits claimed
  • Financial viability of the business
  • Company growth and potential economic impact
  • First time and neighbor island applicants will be given priority.

View the MAP grant program administrative rules (PDF).

Qualifying Expenses

  • Purchase of manufacturing equipment
  • Training on the use of manufacturing equipment
  • Energy efficiency in manufacturing process
  • Studying or planning for a new manufacturing facility
  • “Manufacturing equipment” means equipment integral to the manufacturing process. This does not include product components such as bottles, labels, boxes, ingredients etc., and it does not include consumables such as gas, oil, lubricants, drill bits, blades, or other tooling.
  • Download and use the MAP expense list template to list all eligible manufacturing expenses.
  • Fill in the provided template with budget and details for all possible funding areas (equipment, training, energy efficiency, feasibility study). 
  • For equipment, if applicable, please include the make and model number, along with a brief description of what the equipment does in the item description column. 
  • Under justification, provide the reason you chose the equipment over other models/brands and explain how the equipment is integral to your manufacturing process. 
  • SUPPLIES and MATERIALS used in your product (such as boxes, labels, bottles, etc) are NOT ALLOWABLE expenses.
  • Upload your completed MAP expense list (excel file), valid proof of payments, receipts, and other supporting documents for all items listed on your MAP expense list to your application form. 
  • Acceptable forms of proof of payment include copies of receipts or statements from the vendor showing zero balance due, cleared checks from your bank, and bank/credit card statements. 
  • For training expenses, also include course information/agenda and, if using third-party for training, qualifications of the trainer. 
  • For energy efficiency and feasibility studies, also include vendor qualifications and results/conclusions of the study. These are required and must be submitted with the application.
  • Travel that is not directly related to qualified expenses
  • Expenses related to general operations of the manufacturing facility
  • Wage, compensation, or allowance of employees of the business
  • Change of ownership
  • Acquisition of real property
  • Entertainment or lobbying activities
  • Payment for good or services for which moneys were granted under the HSBIR and HONR programs
  • All supporting documents, proof of payments/receipts must be labeled and/or numbered to correspond with the item on the expense list (excel sheet).
  • All supporting documents, proof of payments/receipts must include vendor name, equipment/training name, date, and matching dollar amount.
  • Documentation not meeting these criteria will not be accepted and could result in a denied application.
  • See a proof of payment sample (invoice and check payment).
  • See a proof of payment sample (invoice with zero balance).

Frequently Asked Questions

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What is the purpose of the MAP Grant?

The purpose of the Hawaiʻi Manufacturing Assistance Program (MAP) (also referred to as the Manufacturing Development Program) is to provide grants to businesses in Hawaiʻi that are manufacturers in the State and require assistance for specific activities related to manufacturing that shall result in economic and employment growth in Hawaiʻi.

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How are award funding amounts determined?

In determining the distribution of funds, the HTDC shall be guided by the nature and economic significance of the activity of each grant application, the importance of the grant to the activity’s success, and the potential economic advantage and/or job creation prospects offered to the State.

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What is the earliest date purchases can be made from?

July 1, 2020

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Can we submit more than one grant request?

Only one grant request per company per year is allowed. However, you may apply for multiple items on one grant. For instance, multiple pieces of equipment or BOTH equipment AND training.

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What are the minimum and maximum amounts that can be requested?

The minimum grant request is $1,500 and the maximum is $100,000.

Questions?

If you have questions, please email mfggrant@htdc.org.