Downtown Tampa Businesses Can Get $5,000 Grant To Spruce Up

TAMPA, FL — The Tampa Downtown Partnership is giving away free $5,000 grants to downtown businesses for enhancements to their locations.

The money from the Partnership's Storefront and Sidewalk Café Grant Program is designed to support and encourage more investment in the street-level appearance of downtown businesses.

"We have temporarily removed the matching component of these grants due to the hardships businesses have faced during the pandemic," said Tampa Downtown Partnership President and CEO Lynda Remund. "Our hope is this infusion of cash will allow some businesses to make improvements or additions that they were forced to pass on because of the economic struggles of the past year and a half."

Eligibility requirements for those applying for a grant include:

• Applicants most be located in the Downtown Tampa Special Services District
• Grants must be used by a street-level tenants or property owners
• Improvements must comply with all municipal and state codes and regulations
• Permitting must be secured before grant approval

Eligible improvements may include but are not limited to:

• Awnings
• Exterior lighting
• Storefront façade repair
• Sidewalk café furniture and umbrellas
• Sidewalk café landscaping, fencing and trash receptacles
• Architectural signage

Based on review and approval by the SSD Advisory Committee, the maximum amount a business can receive is $5,000. The deadline for applying is Friday, Aug. 20.

The grant application can be found here.

The Tampa Downtown Partnership is a private, membership-based not-for-profit 501(c)(6) made up of companies, organizations and individuals with a common goal of advancing Tampa's downtown.

Through an annual contract with the city of Tampa, Tampa Downtown Partnership administers the Special Services District.