City of Toledo Expansion Incentive Program

The Toledo Expansion Incentive Program is administered by the Department of Economic Development within the City of Toledo, Ohio. The program aims to bolster economic growth by offering performance-based, monetary grants to companies that are either expanding existing operations or establishing new locations within the city. The grant is strategically structured to support the city’s goals of attracting and retaining companies in targeted industries and increasing the availability of high-paying jobs for Toledo residents. The program’s core financial incentive is based on actual growth in municipal income taxes generated by newly created, full-time W-2 jobs. The grant award is calculated annually based on the increase in municipal income taxes received and retained by the city, above specific expected revenue benchmarks. These benchmarks are determined using a three-year average of municipal taxes previously paid by the company, or in the case of newly relocating firms, are set to zero. Importantly, benchmarks are locked in for the duration of the agreement, providing predictability for applicants. To qualify, applicants must be business entities either currently located in or planning to locate in Toledo. Eligible businesses must commit to creating at least 10 full-time W-2 jobs within three years of the effective date of the grant agreement. These jobs must meet the City’s Living Wage requirements and be performed primarily at the designated project site. Additional requirements include compliance with local tax obligations, utility payments, and code enforcement regulations. The application process requires submission through the ZoomGrants platform and must include several documents: a completed W-9, Tax Registration Form, Vendor Registration Form, Articles of Incorporation, and an affidavit granting the City access to the applicant’s tax records. Incomplete submissions will delay the evaluation process. After submission, the Department of Economic Development conducts an eligibility review. If deemed eligible, the proposal is presented to the City’s Incentive Advisory Committee, which offers recommendations to the Mayor. Final approval results in the execution of a legally binding Toledo Expansion Incentive Grant Agreement. Approved applicants must submit annual reports throughout the duration of the agreement and during any compliance period that follows. These reports allow the City to monitor job creation and verify municipal income tax payments associated with the project. Any jobs created before the grant agreement is signed are not eligible for consideration under the program. For more information or inquiries, interested parties should contact Cody Brown at cody.brown@toledo.oh.gov. The program operates from the City of Toledo’s One Government Center located at 640 Jackson Street, Toledo, OH 43604. Although there is no listed application deadline, prospective applicants should engage early to ensure all documentation and compliance requirements are met in a timely manner.

Incomplete applications will delay processing; all documents must be submitted through ZoomGrants.