White Box Grant Program

The White Box Grant Program is administered by the City of Toledo’s Department of Economic Development to support the revitalization of commercial properties within city limits. With a total funding pool of $600,000, the program aims to bring vacant first-floor commercial spaces up to current code standards, transforming them into clean, code-compliant “white box” units suitable for business occupancy. The program specifically targets buildings with no active code violations and located in the City of Toledo, prioritizing readiness for commercial or industrial tenants and overall building revitalization. Applicants may receive reimbursement for up to 75% of eligible interior renovation costs. For buildings situated in a designated Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy Area (NRSA), this reimbursement rate increases to 90%. The eligible improvements are strictly tied to state building code, fire code, and accessibility compliance. Examples include HVAC, plumbing and electrical rough-ins, interior wall repairs, fire alarms, and accessibility-related restroom upgrades. The reimbursable amount per project ranges from a minimum of $25,000 to a maximum of $75,000. Expenses incurred before grant agreement execution or performed without necessary permits are ineligible, and costs benefiting the entire building are prorated. Eligibility is limited to property owners or those with buildings under contract, as long as ownership is finalized prior to award distribution. Applicants must be in good standing with governmental bodies and must provide proof of tax standing, utility payments, and absence of active code violations. Commercial, industrial, and mixed-use buildings are eligible, while residential-only properties and buildings hosting certain business types (e.g., payday lenders, pawn shops, adult entertainment) are excluded. Only one White Box Grant is permitted per building per year, and a building may not receive both this and a Façade Improvement Grant during its lifetime. Applications were accepted from January 29 to March 5, 2025, through ZoomGrants. Mandatory documentation includes business registration forms, commercial insurance, architectural drawings, occupancy plans, contractor quotes, and proof of funding sources. Applications were evaluated by an independent Incentive Advisory Committee using defined criteria such as economic impact, safety upgrades, and historical significance. Projects are scored out of 60 points, and top-ranked submissions are recommended to the Mayor, who has final decision-making authority. Award announcements were scheduled for April 18, 2025, followed by mandatory predevelopment meetings. Grant agreements and restrictive covenants—preventing property sales without approval through December 31, 2027—must be signed by May 2, 2025. Project construction must occur between May 5 and December 1, 2025, by which date all work must be completed and reimbursement documentation submitted. Compliance reports are due monthly during construction. Award recipients will receive reimbursement by check upon approval of all submitted completion documentation. While the current grant cycle is closed, the City of Toledo allows interested parties to submit their contact information for future updates. Questions can be directed to Cody Brown at cody.brown@toledo.oh.gov or the Department of Economic Development at EconomicDevelopment@toledo.oh.gov or by calling (419) 245-1452.

Ensure all improvements are fully permitted and code-compliant; Highlight impact on surrounding area and readiness for tenant.