The City of Toledo, through its Department of Economic Development, has announced the White Box Grant Program, a funding opportunity with a total of $600,000 available for property owners to bring vacant first-floor commercial spaces into compliance with current building codes, fire safety regulations, and accessibility standards. The goal is to create functional “white box” spaces ready for occupancy by commercial or industrial tenants. This program is part of the City’s broader Vibrancy Initiative, which supports revitalization projects aimed at reducing blight, creating jobs, and preserving the city’s built environment.

The grant will cover up to 75% of eligible interior renovation expenses required to meet code. For projects located in a Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy Area (NRSA), the reimbursement rate increases to 90%. Reimbursement awards range from $25,000 to $75,000. Projects must result in a certificate of occupancy or certificate of completion and must be fully complete by December 1, 2025. The building must have no active code violations, and applicants must demonstrate that a tenant has been identified or that the space is actively marketed for commercial or industrial use.

Eligible buildings must be located in the City of Toledo, contain vacant first-floor commercial space, and be used for commercial, industrial, or mixed-use purposes. Buildings with exclusively residential uses (single-family, multi-family, or storage) and buildings housing certain businesses (payday loan businesses, pawn shops, firearms dealers, adult entertainment, and self-storage) are not eligible. Additionally, no building can receive both a White Box Grant and a Facade Improvement Grant in the same year.

The application period opens on January 29, 2025, and closes on March 5, 2025, at 11:59 PM EST. Applications must be submitted through ZoomGrants, and no paper or email applications will be accepted. A webinar will be held on February 3, 2025, to review application guidelines, and in-person office hours will be available on February 5, 2025, at the Toledo-Lucas County Public Library Main Library. Applications will be reviewed by the Incentive Advisory Committee (IAC), composed of eight independent citizens who oversee the City’s incentive programs. The committee will evaluate applications based on factors such as project impact, improved safety/accessibility, historic preservation, tenant commitment, and location in targeted areas like low-to-moderate income census tracts or NRSAs.

Awards will be announced on April 18, 2025, with a required predevelopment meeting occurring between April 21 and May 2, 2025. Grant agreements must be signed by May 2, 2025, and projects may begin construction upon agreement execution. Construction must be completed by December 1, 2025, with required documentation submitted to obtain reimbursement. During the construction phase, awarded projects must submit monthly progress reports.

Questions can be directed to the Department of Economic Development at EconomicDevelopment@toledo.oh.gov or by calling (419) 245-1452. Additional program details are available in the Notice of Funding Availability and related resources posted on the City of Toledo’s website.