SPACE Grants
The City is working to identify creative ways to bring people back to commercial districts to revitalize our local economy.
We are seeking to fill vacant storefronts and help small business owners secure new storefront space or expand to a space by subsidizing the costs associated with operating expenses.
- food service and production, restaurants
- childcare
- repair and maintenance and laundry services (i.e., laundromats, dry cleaning)
- retail
- art, entertainment, creative economy, and
- fitness, wellness (including spas and salons), and recreation.
Please note: Liquor stores, cannabis establishments, office spaces, franchises, and lab spaces will not be considered for this program.
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Have questions? Contact:
Alia Hamada Forrest
Eligibility and Benefits
Eligibility:
All applicants must meet the following criteria to be considered for a grant:
- Business must be incorporated in a Qualified Census Tract or one of the prioritized businesses mentioned above.
- Fewer than twenty-five (25) employees (not including the business owner).
- Business owners must provide proof of a Boston business address (e.g., a signed lease, business permit / license / title, utility bill in which the business is named directly, or other home office documentation).
- Business and business owner must be in good-standing with the City of Boston
- Business must provide a copy of its up to date Business Certificate
Each application will be reviewed utilizing this score card criteria. In addition, for the final round of SPACE Grants, businesses must have a signed lease from the past year, between January 2023 through March 2024, to be eligible. Businesses can be newly opened or nearly opened.
Benefits:
- We will provide grants of up to $200,000 to small businesses disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 that are looking to fill vacant commercial space in the City. Grant amounts will vary.
- The grant can be used for start-up costs like rent, infrastructure build-out, security, deposit.
- The funding will be delivered over the course of two years, not all at once.
- In addition to grant funding, SPACE Grantees will receive wrap-around technical assistance services thanks to the Small Business Technical Assistance Program, and free one-year memberships to the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce and the Associated Industries of Massachusetts (AIM) organizations. Grantees have also been granted a two-year membership to the Retailers Association of Massachusetts.
PRE-RECORDED WORKSHOPS
Were you unable to join us for our Business Planning Workshop? Watch the recording online!
Were you unable to join us for our Commercial Leasing Workshop? Watch the recording online!
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQsYes, as long as the nonprofit fits the eligibility criteria listed on the website and application.
Unfortunately, no. This is a grant program serving Boston business owners, and the incorporated address must be within the City to qualify.
No. This is a city-wide program with a focus on commercial hubs, so that includes Main Street districts and other commercial corridors in our neighborhoods. The business you are looking to open does need to be in the City of Boston.
LIST OF GRANTEES
The 24 grantees in the first round were awarded a total of $2,830,000 for rent, build-out, and start-up costs for their business as they fill vacancies across the City in addition to wrap-around technical assistance through our Small Business Technical Assistance Program.
For more details about the first round of the program, view the SPACE Grant press release from July 26, 2023.
These 37 grantees in the second round were awarded a total of $4,575,000 for rent, build-out, and start-up costs for their business as they fill vacancies across the City in addition to wrap-around technical assistance through our Small Business Technical Assistance Program.
For more details about the first round of the program, view the SPACE Grant press release from April 3, 2024.
A Salon
The Biz Barbershop
Curry Leaf
Electrk Juice Bar
Essence Cafe
(Im)Possible Shows, LLC
Jadu
Lisboa Cafe and Mini-Market
Little Crafters Child Care Center
Little Steps Family Care
Oasis Vegan Veggie Parlor
Ruthie’s Juice Cafe
Selam Eritrean Cuisine
sweeties, LLC
The Pyramid Lounge
Tom Yum Yang
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Have questions? Contact:
Alia Hamada Forrest
