White Box Grant Program

White Box Grant Program is sponsored by City of Toledo. Prepares vacant ground-floor commercial spaces for occupancy by new businesses, especially in historically significant legacy commercial corridors.

City of Toledo | White Box Grant Program The white box grant application is closed The White Box Grant Program is intended to prepare vacant ground-floor commercial spaces for occupancy by a new business – particularly in historically significant legacy commercial corridors.

The program is part of the City’s Vibrancy Initiative , which is designed to enhance the city’s vitality by supporting revitalization efforts that create jobs, reduce blight, and preserve and improve structures in our community. The grant reimburses a portion of eligible expenses incurred during a facade improvement project.

Download the Full Notice of Funding Availability Reimburses 50% of eligible interior renovation and tenant build-out costs, or 75% for projects located within a designated Legacy Commercial Corridor Maximum grant award is $75,000 per building, per year Eligible improvements include interior code upgrades (building, fire, and accessibility), as well as basic tenant build-out work needed to make the ground-floor commercial space operational.

Projects must obtain a Certificate of Occupancy or Certificate of Completion and be fully completed by December 4, 2026. Costs incurred before the execution of the White Box Grant Agreement, orwork performed without required permits, is ineligible for reimbursement. Note: a building is not eligible to receive both a Façade Improvement Grant and a White Box Grant in the same year.

Note: If system upgrades (such as electrical, HVAC, or plumbing) serve the entire building, reimbursement will be limited to the proportionate share benefiting the approved commercial space, based on its percentage of the building’s total square footage. The City partners with the Business Empowerment Alliance of Toledo (BEAT) to provide application and project support to applicants at no-cost.

For more information email Vibrancy@toledo. oh. gov. Please email your questions to vibrancy@toledo.

oh. gov Milestone Date Pre-Application Opens Notice of Funding Availability is released and the application opens in ZoomGrants . Monday, April 6th, 2026 Office Hours Applicants are welcome to stop by the small business and nonprofit workspace at the Toledo-Lucas County Public Library’s Main Library for in-person assistance with their application or project.

TBD Pre-Application Submission Deadline Pre-applications are due. No late applications will be accepted. You must submit a pre-application to access the full application.

Friday, May 1, 2026 at 5:00PM EST FINAL Application Submission Deadline Full applications are due. No late applications will be accepted. Friday, May 8, 2026 at 5:00PM EST Awarded Projects Announced Applicants will be informed of the decision on their application.

Friday, May 15, 2026 Grant Agreement Deadline The grant agreement and post-award documents must be signed by the deadline or the award will be forfeited. Friday, May 22, 2026 Project Construction Deadline Construction must commence by the deadline. Failure to begin work may result in termination of the grant agreement.

Friday, August 14, 2026 Project Completion Deadline All work must be completed, Certificate of Completion or Certificate of Occupancy issued, and reimbursement documentation submitted. Friday, December 4, 2026 There are requirements for the applicant, building use, and project type. Take a few minutes to check if you, your space, and your ideas work for this funding opportunity.

Eligible Applicants Are: To qualify for funding, all applicants must be in good standing with: • City of Toledo Division of Taxation : (419) 245-1662 • City of Toledo Public Utilities : (419) 245-1800 • City of Toledo Code Compliance : (419) 245-1400 • Property taxes - Lucas County Auditor : (419) 213-4406 Property Owners of a ground-floor commercial space that is Currently marketed for occupancy Currently occupied by a registered business, or has an incoming tenant Tenants / Small Businesses proposing to or currently occupying a commercial space and able to provide either: • A letter of intent outlining proposed lease terms (lease must be executed prior to grant agreement) Note: A building owner and tenant may apply together Building Is: Located within the City of Toledo Must be zoned commercial, industrial, or otherwise appropriately zoned for the proposed use.

Contain a vacant ground-floor commercial space. For purposes of this program, ‘vacant’ means not currently occupied by an operating commercial business at the time of application submission.

Building Is Not: Exclusively single-family, or multi-family residential buildings Self-Storage Internet Café Car Wash Payday Loan Business Pawn Shop Firearm or other weapons dealer Tobacco/Vape, or Marijuana Store Adult Entertainment Project Is: Tenant Improvement Expenses: Demolition and Removal of Outdated Materials Non-Structural Interior Walls and Partitions Framing, Drywall, Insulation (Excluding Finishes) Drop Ceilings or Ceiling Finishes Electrical, Plumbing, or HVAC Rough-In Finish Flooring Life-Safety Code Compliance Upgrades Interior Paint, Finishes, and Wall Treatments ADA Accessibility Improvements Millwork and Cabinetry Fire Suppression or Alarm Improvements Business Specific Electrical, Plumbing, or HVAC Adjustments Base-Level Lighting Lighting Fixture Installation Subfloor Repair or Base Flooring Installation Restaraunt-Specific Requirements (hood systems, grease traps etc.) Project Is Not: Exterior Improvements Furniture, Equipment, or Appliances Inventory Working Capital or Operating Costs Property Acquisition Design-Only Work If you meet these criteria, you can submit a pre-application.

Submit Pre-Application (Eligibility Screening) Open from April 6th at 9:00 AM - May 1 at 5:00 PM, 2026 Applicant must submit a pre-application to officially determine eligibility and project readiness. The City will review pre-applications on a rolling basis. Ready to Submit your Pre-Application?

Closes May 8, 2026 5:00pm Successful pre-applicants are invited to apply for the grant funding. Application must be complete and submitted by 5 p. m.

on May 8th to move to the Committee Review. The Vibrancy Incentive Committee (VIC) will review and score eligible applications based on the evaluation criteria outlined below. Upon completion of its review, the VIC will forward its scoring results and funding recommendations to the Mayor, who retains full discretion in determining final awards.

See the Evaluation Criteria Awards will be announced. All applicants will receive an email at the end of the review period letting them know whether they have been awarded funding or not.

Before Construction Begins Awardees will need to provide: Copy of Commercial Building Insurance Policy Entity Operating Agreement Proof of Funds or Bank Commitment Letter Awardees schedule pre-development meeting with the Economic Development Department to review project details. Deadline: August 14th, 2026 Construction must begin no later than August 14th.

Awardees must also execute a Restrictive Covenant with the Lucas County Recorder's Office. The property may not be sold without the City's approval before December 1, 2028. The full scope of work must be complete by December 4.

Awardee must also secure a Certificate of Zoning Compliance or Certificate of Completion in order to apply for reimbursement. Deadline: December 4, 2026 Once the work is complete, the awardee can apply for reimbursement.

The awardee will need to submit: Itemized invoices for all eligible expenses Proof of payment for eligible expenses Photographs of completed work Copy of Zoning Compliance or Certificate of Completion Recognition of City Support Awardees are encouraged to recognize the City of Toledo’s support through signage, decals, or other agreed-upon acknowledgements, highlighting the partnership in supporting local businesses and neighborhood corridor investment.

milestones and promote continued investment in Toledo’s commercial corridors.