October 19, 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Upstate Workforce Development Board (UWB) and the Greenville Workforce Development Board are now accepting applications for Incumbent Worker Training Grants. These grants are available to businesses in Greenville, Spartanburg, Cherokee, and Union counties.
AVAILABLE FUNDS
Applications will be accepted from
Monday, October 19, 2026, through 5:00 PM on Friday, November 6, 2026.
Upstate: $50,000.00
Greenville: $75,000.00
The IWT program helps local employers enhance productivity, quality, and competitiveness by providing their employees with critical training opportunities. These grants can support training related to new skill requirements, updated technologies, new certifications, or other improvements that strengthen business operations and workforce capabilities.
Eligible Spartanburg, Cherokee and Union County employers may apply for up to $10,000 each. Eligible Greenville County employers may apply for up to $10,000. Amounts may be waived depending on the number of applications received and the proposed length of the training program(s) to be offered. Applications will be reviewed by the respective workforce boards in November, and funds will be available by January 1, 2027. All training must be completed by April 30, 2027. There will be no extensions granted. Unutilized funds will be recaptured and could impact consideration for future funding awards.
Grant awards are competitive and based on demonstrated need. Eligibility is limited to businesses located within Greenville, Spartanburg, Cherokee, and Union counties.
To qualify, businesses must:
- Have at least one full-time employee;
- Be current on all federal and state tax obligations; and
- Submit a complete grant application.
Business receiving services through ReadySC™. training entities and city, county, and state governments are not eligible for IWT funding. IWT funds are not available to a business that has relocated, if that relocation resulted in the loss of jobs at the original location, until the company has operated at the new location for 120 days.
Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and all applicants will be notified of approval or denial by the respective Local Workforce Development Board. Applications must be completed before they are reviewed. Incomplete applications or applications with incorrect budget information will be excluded from review and deemed ineligible for IWT funds.
Optional Virtual Information Session:
October 20, 2026
10:00 AM
join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/98445702696?pwd=HbOzZDPQlxaFWxSDNgG2HDvG9kQ2t6.1
Meeting ID: 984 4570 2696
Passcode: 011485
For questions:
Upstate (Spartanburg, Cherokee and Union counties)
Kelly Tillinghast, Associate Director of the Upstate Workforce Board Kelly@upstatewb.org
Greenville
Angela Smith, Finance Manager, Greenville County Workforce Development Asmith@greenvillecounty.org
IWT Grant Application Forms for Employers (REQUIRED)
Application submit to Angela Smith at Asmith@greenvillecounty.org
Trainee Information
Pre-Award Survey
IWT Grant – Approved Application Forms for Employers (required once approved)
INITIAL FORMS
QUARTERLY REPORT FORMS
IWT Detailed Trainee Information