Cincinnati Tenant Improvement Program (US)

Grants up to $20,000 for tenant improvements to small businesses (1) relocating to Cincinnati, (2) opening a new business in Cincinnati, or (3) expanding within Cincinnati. The funds can be used for tenant improvements to commercial properties. Up to 10% of the total grant award can be used for soft costs, such as architectural and/or engineering costs.

Eligible Improvement Examples

This program is intended to fund repairs, upgrades, and improvements that will, in general, stay with the property. Generally accepted improvements include, but are not necessary limited to the following:

• Religious institutions;
• Non-profit service providers;
• Private clubs with membership restrictions;
• Businesses proposing any use prohibited by the City, Ohio, or federal regulation or law;
• Predatory lending entities; and Stores that primarily sell alcohol / liquor.
• Lighting fixtures;
• Mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC;
• Carpeting and/or flooring;
• Painting and/or drywall;
• Windows and/or doors;
• Green initiatives;
• Permanent fixtures;
• Interior demolition and renovation;
• Remediation of environmental contamination on the interior of the building, including lead paint, mold, and/or asbestos;
• Acquisition and installation of a security system;
• Compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act;
• Furniture, fixtures, and equipment with a useful life of at least five years; and
• Architectural or engineering costs for interior work (not to exceed 10% of the total grant award).

Eligibility Requirements

• Applicant must be a for-profit business engaged in the restaurant/dining, retail, service, or office sector.
• Business must have 50 or fewer employees.
• The business must be one of the following:
  • A business that is new to the City of Cincinnati;
  • A business that is expanding ; or
  • A business that is a first-time storefront operator.
• The Leased Premises to which improvements will be made (“Leased Premises”) must be located within the geographical boundaries of the City of Cincinnati.
• The Leased Premises may not be used as a residence.
• The business must have a written lease agreement for the Leased Premises with a minimum of 2 years remaining or an existing renewal option (if 1 year remains on the lease) under the lease term.
• The business must have at least 1 year of continuous operations.
• The business must be in good standing with the Ohio Secretary of State, the City of Cincinnati, and the IRS.
• Neither the business nor its owners may be included on any debarred vendor list of or otherwise be restricted from doing business with the City, the state of Ohio and any of its agencies (“Ohio”), or the federal government and any of its agencies.

Program Guidelines

• Applicant must provide with its application a letter of consent for the improvements to the Leased Premises (“Consent Letter”) from the property owner.
• The lease or the Consent Letter must allow for tenant improvements with no requirement to return the Leased Premises to the original condition.
• The business must continue to operate from the Leased Premises for two years after the improvements are made or, if the duration of the lease is longer, for the full lease term.
• Applicant must be willing to participate in City-approved technical assistance (TA) programs and must also allow the City access to its financial statements for two years subsequent to the grant award.
• All improvements must comply with City building codes and architectural standards.

For more information, visit City of Cincinnati.