Free money to spruce up Downtown Tampa storefronts, appearance

Ashly Anderson | Friday, August 6, 2021 | Source: Tampa Downtown Partnership

Replacing awnings and creative signage are among improvements encouraged by grants from the Tampa Downtown Partnership. Photo by Diane Egner

The Tampa Downtown Partnership 2022 worker and resident survey seeks input to help guide the future growth of the city's booming urban core. Photo by Diane Egner

Downtown Tampa businesses can apply for grants (free money) to fix up storefronts, add signage, open sidewalk cafes, etc. Photo by Diane Egner

The Tampa Downtown Partnership is giving away $5,000 grants to Downtown businesses for enhancements to their locations. The free 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," says 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:

Applicant must be located within the Downtown Tampa Special Services District;
Grant must be used by a street-level tenant or property owner;
Improvement 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, 2021.

The Storefront and Sidewalk Cafe grant application can be found here.