Toledo Offers Vibrancy Initiative Grant Program

The City of Toledo has announced its vibrancy Initiative, which uses  a comprehensive approach to revitalization that addresses building exteriors and vacant first-floor commercial interiors. It is designed to enhance the city’s vitality by supporting revitalization efforts that create jobs, reduce blight, and preserve and improve buildings.

• The White Box Grant Program helps property owners bring vacant commercial first-floor spaces up to code and prepare them for occupancy. These matching grants provide up to $75,000 to address interior accessibility, building code, and fire code deficiencies and create “white boxes,” which are then ready for customization by a business.
• The White Box Planning Grant Pilot Program provides funding for a comprehensive feasibility study on a vacant ground-floor commercial space in a designated NRSA.
• The Facade Improvement Grant Program helps  property owners transform the facades of commercial, industrial, and mixed-use buildings currently occupied by businesses.
• The Facade Improvement Planning Grant Pilot Program provides funding to conduct conceptual design services for an existing small business located in in a neighborhood retail revitalization areas.

“By investing in our local entrepreneurs and infrastructure, we’re investing in Toledo’s future,” said Economic Development Director Brandon Sehlhorst. “These grants will help attract new businesses, create jobs, and enhance the quality of life for our residents. We encourage property owners to take advantage of this opportunity and join us in revitalizing Toledo.”

Additional information can be found at https://toledo.oh.gov/business/vibrancy.