EDA Build to Scale (B2S)
$500K-$5M federal grants for regional tech-ecosystem capacity. Applicants are nonprofits, EDOs, universities, or governments. FY 2026 cycle closed; next NOFO expected late summer 2026.
Check an Address — Free Snapshot
See whether a specific Chicago address sits inside the area that unlocks EDA Build to Scale (B2S), alongside every other incentive that touches that parcel.
Nonprofits, economic development organizations, universities, and government entities building regional innovation capacity. SECCC could partner as a sub-awardee for entrepreneur capacity building.
EDA Build to Scale (B2S) is administered at the federal level. Depending on the program, eligibility may depend on the specific location, property type, or business activity rather than a single drawn boundary.
Boundaries are precise and change over time, so exact eligibility always depends on the specific address. The fastest way to know is to run a free snapshot for the parcel you have in mind.
Typical range · $500K – $5M federal grants
- +$500K – $5M federal grants
- +Supports innovation capacity, entrepreneur networks, scale-up assistance
- +3-year project periods
- 1Watch grants.gov for next Build to Scale NOFO (expected late summer 2026)
- 2Form a regional coalition with university, EDO, and nonprofit partners
- 3Submit application with matching funds commitment
Monitor grants.gov for FY 2026 Build to Scale NOFO
- Coalition MOU and roles
- Project narrative and budget
- Match funding documentation
- Letters of support
This page is a starting point, not eligibility, legal, or tax advice. Verify current requirements, deadlines, and boundaries with the administering agency before applying or spending money — program rules and funding change over time.
- Phone
- (202) 482-5081
- Web
- Visit site ↗
Last verified 2026-05-21
Created by the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and made permanent by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA, Pub. L. 119-21, July 2025) on a 10-year designation cycle. OZ 2.0 governor nominations underway July 2026; new OZ 2.0 map effective 1/1/2027. Existing OZ 1.0 tracts remain valid through 12/31/2028.
WOTC LAPSE NOTICE: The Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) expired December 31, 2025. As of July 2026 it is in legislative hiatus — no new credits are available for employees starting work on or after January 1, 2026. WOTC has historically been reauthorized retroactively; employers are advised to CONTINUE pre-screening new hires using IRS Form 8850 to preserve potential retroactive eligibility. Credit value: $2,400–$9,600 per qualifying hire.
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HUD-designated Qualified Census Tracts boost Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) by 30%, making affordable housing development more financially viable in these areas.