city_hall

Official websites use .boston.gov

A .boston.gov website belongs to an official government organization in the City of Boston.

lock

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS

A lock or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Social Media Survey
/
We want to better understand where folks in the City of Boston are finding news and information through social media. To help with this effort, please take our quick survey today:
Last updated:

SPACE Grants

The City is working to identify creative ways to bring people back to commercial districts to revitalize our local economy.

The SPACE (Supporting Pandemic Affected Community Enterprises) Grant Program prioritizes helping our small businesses, with a priority for industries that were most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. These prioritized businesses include, but are not limited to:
  • food service and production, restaurants
  • childcare
  • repair and maintenance and laundry services (i.e., laundromats, dry cleaning)
  • retail
  • art, entertainment, creative economy, and
  • fitness, wellness (including spas and salons), and recreation.
The application for the third round of SPACE Grants closed on Friday, May 3, 2024.

Mayor Wu Announces the Third Round of SPACE Grant Awardees

On Monday, November 18, 2024, Mayor Michelle Wu announced the awardees of the third and final round of the Supporting Pandemic Affected Community Enterprises (SPACE) Grant, celebrating 32 small businesses that recently opened or are about to open. Through this program, the City has supported 90 businesses, using a total of $10 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to help them with expenses related to new lease agreements. For round three, the Office of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion received over 250 applications.

Read the full press release

View all third round SPACE Grant recipients below!

SPACE GRANT RECIPIENTS

RECIPIENTS

These 32 grantees in the third round were awarded a total of $2,875,000 for rent, build-out, and start-up costs for their business as they fill vacancies across the City in addition to wrap-around technical assistance through our Small Business Technical Assistance Program.

For more details about the third round of the program, view the SPACE Grant press release from November 18, 2024.

These 37 grantees in the second round were awarded a total of $4,575,000 for rent, build-out, and start-up costs for their business as they fill vacancies across the City in addition to wrap-around technical assistance through our Small Business Technical Assistance Program.

For more details about the second round of the program, view the SPACE Grant press release from April 3, 2024.

Lisboa Cafe and Mini-Market

Little Crafters Child Care Center

Little Steps Family Care

Maroon Cafe and Bookstore

Newbury Yarns

Nubian Markets 

Oasis Vegan Veggie Parlor 

Pink Carrot

Romper Room Family Childcare

Russ & Mimi’s

Ruthie’s Juice Cafe 

Salvaged Roots Hair & Beauty

Selam Eritrean Cuisine 

Side Presents

SPARK FM

sweeties, LLC

The Pyramid Lounge

Tom Yum Yang

Eligibility and Benefits

Eligibility and Benefits

All applicants must meet the following criteria to be considered for a grant:

  1. Business must be incorporated in a Qualified Census Tract or one of the prioritized businesses mentioned above.
  2. Fewer than twenty-five (25) employees (not including the business owner).
  3. Business owners must provide proof of a Boston business address (e.g., a signed lease, business permit / license / title, utility bill in which the business is named directly, or other home office documentation). 
  4. Business and business owner must be in good-standing with the City of Boston
  5. Business must provide a copy of its up to date Business Certificate

Each application will be reviewed utilizing this score card criteria. In addition, for the final round of SPACE Grants, businesses must have a signed lease from the past year, between January 2023 through March 2024, to be eligible. Businesses can be newly opened or nearly opened. 

Please note: Applications for the third round of SPACE Grants closed on Friday, May 3, 2024.

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQs

Yes, as long as the nonprofit fits the eligibility criteria listed on the website and application.

Unfortunately, no. This is a grant program serving Boston business owners, and the incorporated address must be within the City to qualify.

No. This is a city-wide program with a focus on commercial hubs, so that includes Main Street districts and other commercial corridors in our neighborhoods. The business you are looking to open does need to be in the City of Boston.

PRE-RECORDED WORKSHOPS

Were you unable to join us for our Business Planning Workshop? Watch the recording online!

business planning workshop

Were you unable to join us for our Commercial Leasing Workshop? Watch the recording online!

Commercial Leasing Workshop

Back to top