The Planning Grant Application Application is Now Open!
The City of Toledo’s Department of Economic Development announces the availability of $50,000 in funding for the Planning Grant Program. This program is part of the City’s Vibrancy Initiative, a coordinated suite of incentive programs designed to stimulate revitalization, reduce blight, preserve existing structures, and strengthen commercial corridors citywide.
The Planning Grant Program provides financial support to small businesses and property owners seeking to activate ground-floor commercial spaces for occupancy by a new business – particularly in historically significant legacy commercial corridors.
Download The Full Notice of Funding Availability
How the Grant Works
- Reimburses 50% of eligible design and architectural services for projects in designated census tracts and 75% for projects located within a designated Legacy Commercial Corridor.
- Maximum grant award is $10,000
- Building must contain vacant or underutilized ground-floor space requiring professional drawings to move toward occupancy.
- Qualifying uses are those designed for walk-in customers, such as retail shops, restaurants, service businesses, offices, and other storefront-oriented spaces.
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, call (419) 245-1230 or email Vibrancy@toledo.oh.gov.
Application Timeline
Schedule
| 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. | Click here for schedule |
| 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 |
Application Process
Check Eligibility
15 minutes
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: |
Property Owners of buildings with a ground-floor commercial space that is either: |
Tenants / Small Businesses proposing to or currently occupying a commercialspace and able to provide either: |
Note: A building owner and tenant may apply together
| Building Is: |
|---|
Located within the City of Toledo |
| Must be zoned commercial, or otherwise appropriately zoned for the proposed use. |
| Contain a vacant or underutilized ground-floor commercial space. |
| Building Is Not: |
|---|
| Exclusively single-family, or multi-family residential buildings |
Self-Storage |
| Internet Café |
| Car Wash |
Payday Loan Business |
| Pawn Shop |
| Firearm/Weapons Dealer |
| Tobacco/Vape, or Marijuana Store |
| Adult Entertainment |
| Eligible Expenses - Architectural & Design Services: |
|---|
| Code-compliant architectural drawings |
| Floor plans, site plans, and space planning |
| Structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing (MEP) engineering |
| Life-Safety Evaluations |
| ADA Accessibility Upgrades |
| Interior layout or design concepts necessary for build-out |
| Ineligible Expenses: |
|---|
| Renderings not linked to code compliance or permit submission |
| Furniture layouts not required for occupancy |
| Work started before a grant agreement is executed |
| Deliverables- All reimbursable work must result in professional documents such as: |
|---|
| Stamped architectural drawings |
| Engineering plans |
| Permit-ready plan sets |
| Feasibility assessments |
If you meet these criteria, you can submit a pre-application.
Submit Pre-Application (Eligibility Screening)
Open April 6th at 9:00 AM - May 1st at 5:00pm, 2026
Applicant must submit a pre-application to officially determine eligibility and project readiness. Pre-applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Once approved, applicants will receive a link to proceed to the full application.
Application Requirements
Ready to Submit your Pre-Application?
Submit Full Application
Closes May 8th, 2026 at 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.
Committee Review
See the Evaluation Criteria
Click Here
Awards
May 22, 2026
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.
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.
The City of Toledo may also publicly recognize awarded projects through press releases,
social media, website features, or other public communications to celebrate project
milestones and promote continued investment in Toledo’s commercial corridors.