Commercial Tenant Improvement Program
The Tenant Improvement Program (“TIP”) alleviates barriers for small business by offering grants of up to $20,000 to small businesses (1) relocating to Cincinnati, (2) opening a new business in Cincinnati, or (3) expanding within Cincinnati, to cover renovation costs for necessary fixed asset improvements to their commercial spaces.
Small businesses can use the funds for fixed asset improvements to the interior of commercial properties, and up to 10% of the total grant award for soft costs, such as architectural and/or engineering costs. The Department of Community and Economic Development ("DCED") partners with the Department of Economic Inclusion (“DEI”) to execute this program, promoting TIP through a variety of mediums, and conducting a robust review process of the grant applications received.
Goal
Supporting and empowering local business owners is critical to creating vibrant communities and fostering a healthy regional economy. In honor of this, the City of Cincinnati established TIP in 2023 to reduce barriers small businesses face when securing commercial space and mitigate some of the risks they assume.
Who Can Apply?
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Small Business Owners
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Business must have 50 or fewer employees and be one of the following:
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A business that is new to the City of Cincinnati;
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A business that is expanding; or
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A business that is a first-time storefront operator.
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For more information on eligibility, read the CTIP Program Guide.
Overview of Process
Applicants should submit a complete application packet (linked below) as soon as the next round of funding is available. Applications can be emailed to communitydevelopment@cincinnati-oh.gov, OR dropped off in-person to the Department of Economic Development:
Two Centennial Plaza
805 Central Avenue, Suite 700
Cincinnati, Ohio, 45202
The Small Business Team ("SBT") will then conduct an initial review of applications for minimum eligibility requirements and completeness, before interviewing selected applicants in conjunction with a visit to the project location. They approve applicants, issue them a letter of award, and conduct a ‘Meet and Confer’ session. After which, DCED works with each applicant to execute an official funding agreement with the City. Awarded applicants must begin work within 90 days of executing the agreement, which the City will inspect for compliance; following approval and review of awarded applicants invoice requests, DCED issues grant payments.
Timeline
Applications opened September 9th, 2024 with a deadline of Monday, October 21st, 2024 at 5 P.M. ET. There is a 6-week application period, with awards expected to be announced in Fall 2024.
Interested? Have questions? For more information, contact:
Joseph Malek, joseph.malek@cincinnati-oh.gov
Eric Denson, eric.denson@cincinnati-oh.gov
Documents & Helpful Links
2023 CTIP Grant Awardees.
News Coverage of our 2023 Awardees
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"Sweets & Meats co-owner and founder Kristen Bailey said she’s been searching for the right place with city of Cincinnati Development Manager Eric Denson for the past five years... Bailey said she was awarded $12,000 in tenant improvements from Children’s and a $20,000 grant from the city's tenant improvement program."
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6 ‘n the Mornin' bringing brunch, nightlife concept to Walnut Hills (cincinnati.com)
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Popular dance fitness class in Cincinnati expanding headquarters (wlwt.com)
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Just Q'in BBQ opens second brick-and-mortar location in College Hill (wcpo.com)
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Owner of Dean’s Mediterranean Imports Opening New Concept in Northside (citybeat.com)