Small Business Initiatives & Support

Storefront

The Small Business and Community Development Division creates and initiates community-based strategies to:

  • Build strong neighborhoods
  • Enhance economic opportunities, and
  • Ensure a dynamic framework for quality growth and community development.

Our vision is to create a vibrant, prosperous and growing Hartford through exceptional community development, for families and commerce.

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Neighborhood Investment Fund Program

The Small Business Initiatives and Support Division is excited to announce the City of Hartford is directing up to $5,000,000 in the format of forgivable loans to commercial property owners in the City of Hartford through its Neighborhood Investment Fund Program. The intent of this program is to provide commercial property owners and business owners with funds to help build-out storefront spaces and to make improvements to existing commercial storefront spaces, providing a much-needed economic boost to our Neighborhood Commercial Corridors. 

Major commercial corridors including Albany Avenue, North Main Street, Park Street (Between Main Street and Park Terrace), and Maple Avenue are eligible areas. Business Owner/Entrepreneur and Property Owner Interest Forms will be reviewed on a rolling basis with pre-applications/interest forms submitted by April 30th, 2025 prioritized.  

All storefront commercial properties within defined major commercial corridors will be eligible, but special considerations will be given to the following:

  1. Vacant properties adjacent to other vacant properties
  2. MWBE’s and/or Hartford based businesses/entrepreneurs
  3. Restaurant and Retail Uses 

Pre-Application Forms

Are you a property owner interested in opening or improving a storefront tenant space in one of the defined business corridors? Complete the Pre-Application/Interest Form below: 

Complete the Neighborhood Investment Fund Property Owner Interest Form!

Are you a community member who would like to provide input on the program? Complete the Input Form below:

Complete the Neighborhood Investment Fund Input Form! 

Program Overview

For more details regarding this program, including eligibility guidelines, please review the program overview:

Neighborhood Investment Fund - Program Overview(PDF, 91KB)

Microenterprise Microgrant Program

The Microenterprise Microgrant Program is designed to support Hartford entrepreneurs in developing, operating, and stabilizing their businesses. This program has $500,000 in its funding pool and intends to support microenterprises in the City of Hartford.

This program is administered through the Urban League of Greater Hartford. For any inquiries about the Program, please email tfraylon@ulgh.org. 

Small Business Façade Improvement Program

The Small Business and Community Development team identifies financial incentives in the form of grants and loans to help support Hartford's entrepreneurs.

Most commonly, the division administers façade improvement programs which incentivize property owners to improve the exterior appearance of their commercial buildings and storefronts. Storefront improvements are essential to the success of our local business communities! They revitalize the pedestrian environment, attract customers, and encourage additional neighborhood economic investment. The team may also be available to provide design assistance to help ensure that modifications comply with zoning or historic district guidelines.

Check Back Here Periodically for New Applications and Announcements!

You may also download the PDF file and email your completed questionnaire to smallbiz@hartford.gov: Façade Program Participation Questionnaire(PDF, 564KB) (Cuestionario de Participación para el Programa de Fachadas(PDF, 623KB))

For more details regarding this grant, including eligibility guidelines, please review the program overview: 

FAÇADE PROGRAM OVERVIEW(PDF, 560KB)    UNA DESCRIPCIÓN DEL PROGRAMA DE FACHADAS(PDF, 554KB)

Once you are ready to apply, submit an application via our online portal: 

APPLY ONLINE (Solicite Online)

APPLY BY MAIL (Solicite por correo):

Please deliver completed applications to the address below (Por favor, entregue las solicitudes completas a la dirección abajo):

Small Business Division
Attn: Small Business Facade Improvement Program
City of Hartford Department of Development Services
260 Constitution Plaza, 1st Floor
Hartford, CT 06103                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

Starting A Business


Small Business Development Partners and Resources

Small Business Investment Fund Program

This program is no longer accepting applications. 

The City of Hartford is directing $1,000,000 into the Small Business Investment Fund (SBIF) in an effort to stabilize the small business community post-pandemic. The goal of this program is to create and retain job opportunities, spur entrepreneurial activities, revitalize downtown and neighborhood businesses, and leverage private investments in the small business community. The program is also intended to provide necessary technical assistance to small business owners to build a strong foundation for future business growth.   

Award Amount: up to $100,000 per business 

Matching Requirement: 50% (e.g., $50,000 match for $100,000 grant award) 

For more details regarding this grant, including eligibility guidelines, please review the program overview: 

SMALL BUSINESS INVESTMENT FUND PROGRAM OVERVIEW(PDF, 513KB)

FONDO DE INVERSIÓN PARA LA PEQUEÑA EMPRESA DESCRIPCIÓN DEL PROGRAMA(PDF, 510KB)

 

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