Scalable Grant Program (Manufacturing)

Scalable Grant

Supports Pennsylvania manufacturers scaling production with local partners through cost reimbursement.

The Scalable Grant is a reimbursement program administered by Innovation Works (BFTP of Southwestern Pennsylvania) that helps Pennsylvania-based businesses offset the cost of scaling manufacturing operations with local partners. The program reimburses 50 percent of eligible manufacturing expenses up to a maximum of $25,000. To claim the full $25,000 reimbursement, an applicant's total eligible project expenses must exceed $50,000, creating an effective 1:1 cost-share. The manufacturing partner must be located in one of nine southwestern Pennsylvania counties: Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Greene, Lawrence, Washington, or Westmoreland.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis with no fixed deadline. After a business submits the initial project form, Innovation Works drafts the full proposal — covering scope, vendors, timeline, and cost estimates — and an Investment Committee must approve the contract before any expenditure is made. Reimbursements are disbursed on the 1st and 15th of each month. Applicants must be able to cover vendor invoices independently for up to one month while waiting for each disbursement cycle. No delinquent tax liens may be outstanding against the business at time of application.

Post-award compliance includes a final report, one annual site visit during the active grant period, and annual impact surveys for three years after grant closeout. Innovation Works' office is located in Pittsburgh at One Allegheny Square, Nova Tower 1, Suite 401; prospective applicants can schedule a program intake appointment via Calendly (mverlinich/mfgprog). The program is sector-restricted to manufacturing and is not open to nonprofits, universities, or research organizations.