Project Restore

The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, through Project Restore, is providing financial support to Maryland’s existing or new businesses to help incentivize commercial investment in vacant retail and commercial properties.

Project Restore provides two grant opportunities for businesses, including nonprofits, that are expanding, moving to or opening in a property that was previously vacant for at least six months:

• Property Assistance Grant: Provides up to $30,000 for one year to support costs associated with rent, mortgage payment or property improvements as applicable.
• Business Operations Grant: For businesses that generate sales and use tax, provides up to $250,000 per calendar year to support capital (property improvements, equipment etc.) and operating (staff salaries, marketing, inventory etc.) costs associated with business operations in the vacant property.

Who Can Apply

Existing or new Maryland based businesses, including nonprofits, with 50 or fewer full time employees that are expanding, moving to or opening in a property that was previously vacant for at least six months.

• NOTE: Businesses that have the following as their principal purpose are NOT eligible to apply: (1) Adult bookstore, adult video shop, or other adult entertainment facility; (2) Check cashing facility;(3) Gambling facility; (4) Gun shop; (5) Liquor store; (6) Massage parlor; (7) Pawn shop; (8) Tanning salon; or (9) Tattoo parlor.

Vacant Property/Length of Vacancy

Property must have been vacant for at least six months.

• If Applicant Is Leasing the Vacant Property/Space:Date of the signed lease or Letter of Intent must not be older than April 1, 2022, therefore property must have been vacant as of October 1, 2021 or earlier.
  • NOTE: Applicants with a signed lease dated between July 1, 2021 and March 31, 2022, that meet grant requirements, may apply for the Business Operations Grant but NOT Property Assistance Grant.
• If Applicant Owns the Vacant Property/Space: Business applicants that are also the building owner(s) cannot have owned the property prior to July 1, 2021 and the property must have been vacant for at least six months prior to or during the period of ownership.

More information and how to apply - https://dhcd.maryland.gov/Pages/ProjectRestore/default.aspx