The White Box Planning Grant Program, announced by the City of Toledo’s Department of Economic Development, offers funding for property owners to transform vacant first-floor commercial spaces into fully code-compliant "white box" spaces. These spaces are designed to be easily customized for occupancy by businesses. The goal of this grant is to revitalize these areas, make them more accessible, and support local business development. The program is part of the City of Toledo’s Vibrancy Initiative, which seeks to enhance the city’s vitality by reducing blight, creating jobs, and preserving buildings within designated revitalization zones.

The program offers 100% funding for a comprehensive feasibility study of the selected property. Eligible properties must be located in one of the City’s Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy Areas (NRSA) or within a low- to moderate-income (LMI) census tract. In addition, the building must have no active code violations. Projects located in NRSA areas will be prioritized. The feasibility study will evaluate code compliance, accessibility standards, and provide construction cost estimates to help property owners prepare for renovation.

The application process opens on January 29, 2025, and closes on March 5, 2025, at 11:59 PM EST. Applicants must submit their materials via the ZoomGrants platform. The Department of Economic Development will screen applications for completeness before the Incentive Advisory Committee (IAC) evaluates them. The IAC will score applications based on criteria like project need and historic preservation considerations. The top-scoring applications will be recommended to the Mayor, who will have final discretion over funding decisions.

The application package requires various documents, including the applicant's W-9, business tax registration form, insurance policy, and photos of the property. A webinar to educate potential applicants about the process will take place on February 3, 2025. Additionally, applicants can attend office hours on February 5, 2025, at the Toledo-Lucas County Public Library’s Main Library to receive assistance.

The White Box Planning Grant is designed to support the renovation of properties used for commercial, industrial, or mixed-use purposes. Residential and storage buildings are not eligible, nor are businesses such as payday loan shops, pawn shops, and adult entertainment venues. Funding will be awarded based on the project’s alignment with the program’s goals and criteria, with an emphasis on transforming underutilized spaces into functional, market-ready commercial properties.

Once awarded, recipients must sign a grant agreement by May 2, 2025, to secure funding. A predevelopment meeting will occur between April 21 and May 2, 2025, to review the project. The feasibility study process will begin by May 5, 2025, and must be completed by December 1, 2025. The feasibility study will include a building code assessment, construction drawings, and an estimate of the renovation costs.