MO · State Grant

Missouri State Training Grants for Employers

Missouri's state training money comes through Missouri One Start. Its job development fund pays for training projects at companies that create new jobs, or that invest in capital at least five times the assistance to keep jobs. A separate Credential Training Program is a competitive grant for industry credentials. Both depend on legislative appropriations.

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Program type pre-filled: state_training_grant

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HOW IT WORKS

Four steps, in this order.

1
Contact Missouri One Start
2
Pick the program: project training or credential grant
3
Sign the agreement or get a preliminary award
4
Train and submit proof for reimbursement

2 VERIFIED PROGRAMS

Where the Missouri money comes from.

Run by Missouri One Start, Missouri Department of Economic Development. Every figure is from an official page, linked on each card.

Missouri One Start Job Development Fund training assistance

No fixed cap, by project

ONGOING, SUBJECT TO APPROPRIATION

WHAT YOU GET

Financial assistance for training project costs. Training equipment and facilities are not eligible. Consortiums of employers can also apply for common training.

HOW MUCH

No published maximum. Awards depend on investment, jobs, training needs and available funds.

WHO RECEIVES THE MONEY

Training projects are administered by a certified local education agency (community college, technical college or career center) for the employer.

WHO QUALIFIES

Qualified company creating new jobs that need training, or investing in capital at least five times the assistance to retain jobs
Service companies must earn most revenue from outside Missouri
Excluded industries include gambling, store-front retail, food service and public utilities

Before you start: Yes. An agreement must be in place before assistance is provided.

Credential Training Program (competitive grant)

Up to $2,000 per employee

QUARTERLY WINDOWS, NEXT IN OCTOBER 2026

WHAT YOU GET

Reimbursement of eligible credential training cost.

HOW MUCH

Up to $2,000 per employee per fiscal year and $30,000 per company per fiscal year. Program cap $6 million a year.

WHO RECEIVES THE MONEY

The employer, reimbursed after the employee earns the credential.

WHO QUALIFIES

Any employer registered to do business in Missouri, except public bodies
The employee or prospective employee must be a Missouri resident
Not for independent contractors or the owner's own training

Before you start: Yes. The employee must not start the credential until after a preliminary award.

AVOID THESE

What gets Missouri State Grant claims denied.

Funding training for people replacing workers in an authorized work stoppage.
SOURCE: REVISOR.MO.GOV
Buying training equipment or facilities with the funds.
SOURCE: REVISOR.MO.GOV
Service companies that do not earn most revenue outside Missouri.
SOURCE: REVISOR.MO.GOV
Starting a credential before the preliminary award letter (Credential program).
SOURCE: REVISOR.MO.GOV
Getting One Start training funds and Credential Program funds for the same credential.
SOURCE: REVISOR.MO.GOV

STRAIGHT ANSWERS

Missouri State Grant questions.

Is there one statewide training grant for all employers?

No. One Start is the main state program and is tied to new jobs or retention investment. The Credential Training Program is open to any Missouri employer.

SOURCE: REVISOR.MO.GOV

Who runs the paperwork?

The community college or technical school partner assists companies with all state paperwork for One Start training programs.

SOURCE: MISSOURIONESTART.COM

Is the money guaranteed?

No. The program is funded through appropriations, and the Credential grant is scored competitively, not first come first served.

SOURCE: REVISOR.MO.GOV

Do my hires need to be Missouri residents?

For the Credential program, yes: the employee or prospective employee must be a Missouri resident.

SOURCE: MISSOURIONESTART.COM

How we checked. Every fact on this page comes from a state agency, a local workforce board or federal regulation, read on September 30, 2026. Where a board publishes nothing, we say so instead of guessing. Programs and funding change often; confirm with the program before you commit. Written by Jason Meehl, founder of Reimbursa. Found an error? Email hello@reimbursa.com.

OTHER PROGRAMS IN MISSOURI

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