State Rep. Nancy Garland (D-New Albany) announced Dec. 12 that the state would provide $120,000 in grants to two Franklin County nonprofit economic-development groups that help low- and moderate-income entrepreneurs, according to a release from the state.

The organizations are the Economic and Community Development Institute and INCREASE Community Development Corp. They offer training, technical assistance and business loans.

The grants are available through the Microenterprise Business Development Program, which is designed to encourage entrepreneurship and create and retain long-term, private-sector jobs, according to the release.

“There is a wealth of knowledge and ideas in central Ohio that can help create jobs and spur economic growth,” Garland said in the release. “However, not everyone with one of these ideas is able to access the funding they need to get their business off the ground. Microenterprise Business Development grants provide local experts with the funding they need to help these individuals grow their businesses.”

For more information on the Microenterprise Business Development grants, go to www.development.ohio.gov.Community/ohcp/EconomicDevelopmentPrograms.htm.