Application Cycle Open from September 15 to October 8
The City of Raleigh's Building Up-fit Grant encourages growth and development by assisting small business owners who want to activate their vacant or underutilized commercial building space in Raleigh to create new business use and new jobs.
This matching reimbursement program helps small business owners invest in property improvements. The Building Up-fit Grant is a 1:1 match reimbursement by the tenant or property owner. This means that approved applicants must spend an amount on improvements, renovations, and/or additions at least equal to the amount of grant funds provided. For example, to receive the full $15K/$25k of reimbursed grant funding, the tenant/property owner must spend at least $30K/$50k of qualified expenses on such renovation/up-fit work (based on the location of the business being either inside or outside of the priority area).
Grant applications are submitted before any project work begins. Awarded grants are paid after construction projects are completed.
Qualified improvements include interior work such as:
- Mechanical, electrical, and/or plumbing for build-out;
- HVAC, fire suppression, and costs of bringing the building up to code;
- Flooring;
- Lighting;
- Attached fixtures and/or installment of permanent fixtures, accessibility compliance, restrooms, utility upgrades, construction of new walls, and demolition of existing walls; and
- Support mechanisms (roofing, foundation, support beams, columns, trusses, etc.)
Please note that residential properties, properties outside of Raleigh, and exterior projects are not eligible.
Ready to apply?
Applications for this grant cycle are open until Sunday, October 8. For full program details, please view the program brochure and FAQ page.
To get started, complete the Building Up-fit Grant pre-application to determine eligibility.