Several federal and state funding options are available to assist your MSP clients finance hardware upgrades. In fact, they may be able to offer a hand in funding Windows 11 migrations. Here’s a closer look at some of them.
1. Cybersecurity Grants
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) offers grants to help with upgrades. One example is the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program (SLCGP). This program allocates money toward improving IT infrastructure security, including upgrades to operating systems and hardware. While these grants are primarily directed at state and local governments, they often cover related technology upgrades and services, which could benefit clients in regulated sectors. (CISA)
2. State Small Business Credit Initiative
The U.S. treasury department provides funding to support small businesses through various programs, including the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI). This initiative supports sectors critical to economic recovery and modernization. It potentially includes IT infrastructure improvements like hardware upgrades (U.S. Department of the Treasury).
3. ARPA and IIJA
The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) have provisions for broadband and IT infrastructure upgrades. Small businesses may access these funds indirectly through state and local programs aimed at improving cybersecurity, resilience, and overall IT infrastructure. Local governments can allocate some of these funds to businesses in need of tech upgrades, which can include the move to Windows 11 (Find government grants).
4. SBA Cybersecurity Pilot Programs
The Small Business Administration (SBA) has introduced several funding programs to enhance small business cybersecurity, including funds for hardware and software updates. This assists small businesses in upgrading their systems as part of compliance and cybersecurity efforts (SBA.gov).
Conclusion
Encourage your clients to explore these options, particularly with local governments and specific sector-based initiatives that might cover part of their hardware refresh costs. Partnering with vendors that offer financing options, such as leasing programs, will also help mitigate the costs for businesses that don’t qualify for direct grant support.
Next Steps
- Want more helpful guidance? Check out our Windows 10 End of Life and Windows 11 Upgrade Answer Center.
- Have a question for our experts? Send it to editors@channelpronetwork.com
ChannelPro has created this resource to help busy MSPs streamline their decision-making process. This resource offers a starting point for evaluating key business choices, saving time and providing clarity. While this resource is designed to guide you through important considerations, we encourage you to seek more references and professional advice to ensure fully informed decisions.
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