Food carts and crowds on State Street Mall.
Economic Development

Building Improvement Grant

The Building Improvement Grant program helps businesses with the capital costs of renovating retail spaces. We provide grants up to $50,000 for interior and exterior improvements.

These investments help maintain the independent flavor that makes Madison special. Unique and successful independent businesses make the surrounding area more attractive and marketable.

The Building Improvement Grant program is funded through City of Madison Tax Increment Financing (TIF). We accept applications on an ongoing basis until funds run out.

You must be approved for the grant before you begin the work. Work that is in process or has been completed is not eligible for grant funds.

Eligibility

Your business is eligible if the business is:

  • Retail, restaurant, or retail services (including spas and salons)
  • Independent (locally owned or managed; see below)
  • In an eligible Madison Tax Increment District (TID)

Ineligible businesses include offices, consulting firms, health, insurance, banking, and other non-retail businesses. Governmental entities, non-profits, and public and quasi-public authorities also are not eligible.

Independent Business

A business is considered independent if it is at least 51% owned by people living in Dane County.

If a business is not locally-owned, it may be considered independent if the business meets all criteria:

  • Has its headquarters in Dane County
  • Have more than 51% of key managers living in Dane County
  • Registered in Wisconsin
  • Makes independent decisions about:
    • Purchasing
    • Name and look of the business, including marketing, advertising, logos, and branding
    • Business procedures, practices, and policies

Tax Increment Districts

To be eligible, your business must be in or within a half mile of one of these Tax Increment Districts (TID):

  • TID 44: Royster Clark Area
  • TID 46: Research Park Area
  • TID 50: State Street Area
  • TID 51: Park Street Area
  • TID 52: East Washington Avenue/Stoughton Road Area
  • TID 53: Wilson Street Area
  • TID 54: Pennsylvania Avenue Area

If you are a tenant, you must have a lease for two or more years in the space you are improving.

Please contact obr@cityofmadison.com to confirm your business is within the mapped boundaries.

How to Apply

  1. Send Application

    Fill out the application form. Your application must include a detailed description of the proposed improvements with estimates from vendors.

    Application Form

    • Email (preferred):
      Ruth Rohlich
      Business Development Specialist City of Madison
      rrohlich@cityofmadison.com
    • Drop off:
      ATTN: Ruth Rohlich Madison Municipal Building
      215 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard Room 312
      Madison, WI 53701
    • Mail:
      ATTN: Ruth Rohlich City of Madison
      Economic Development
      P.O. Box 2983
      Madison, WI 53701-2983

    If you are a tenant, you must include a copy of the lease and written approval from the owner.

    Applications are accepted on an on-going basis until the funds runs out.

  2. Review and Approval

    City staff will review your proposal. If the proposal meets the requirements, we will send you written approval. We may also send you required changes to the original proposal.

  3. Sign Grant Agreement

    After your grant is approved, we will send you the grant agreement. Sign this agreement and return it to the City.

  4. Get Building Permits

    You must get building permits before starting construction.

    During construction, you must display a sign stating that financing was provided through this grant program. The City will provide you with this sign.

Eligible Costs

We want to invest in improvements that would benefit not only the current tenant, but future businesses within the space. This type of improvement includes:

  • HVAC, electrical, or plumbing improvements
  • ADA compliance improvements
  • The construction of customer restrooms
  • Rehabilitation of the space to basic “white-box conditions”, such as repairing or replacing cracked plaster walls, structural improvements or ceilings
  • New flooring
  • New lighting
  • New windows and doors
  • Restoration of deteriorated historic/architectural elements
  • Loading dock, storage, storeroom repairs and construction
  • Other elements that could be useful to a new business
  • “Green” or environmentally friendly upgrades
  • Eligible exterior improvements that mirror those improvements considered eligible under the current Façade Improvement Grant Program
  • Design, architectural and permit fees associated with the construction are also eligible project costs.

Grant Requirements

Owners and tenants must:

We expect that all projects will:

  • Comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
  • Use environmentally-friendly products and materials, including those that are energy star rated.

Payment Procedure

The City will make two payments:

  1. The first payment of up to 75%, within 30 days of contract signing.
  2. The second payment will be made after the project is complete and the City has approved all paid invoices.

City staff may request copies of additional documentation at any time.

Subrecipients must submit all paid invoices and your payment request to obr@cityofmadison.com. The City will make payments to subrecipients by ACH or check.

If you do not use all funds before the contract expires, the remaining funds are not eligible for payment.

If you break the terms of the contract, the City has the right to terminate the contract. If the contract is terminated, you must return all funds to the City. See your contract for details.

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