The Town of Chapel Hill Economic Development office is launching a new grant program to assist existing Downtown small businesses. The grant funding is made available through undesignated American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds that were allocated to the department in 2021. The grant parameters are a response to the continued redevelopment of Rosemary and Franklin Street. The economic development team and community partners involved in the program recognize the importance of retaining local businesses that chose to make Chapel Hill their home. Franklin and Rosemary have iconic storefronts which are crucial to maintaining an economically strong Downtown. Recipients would be eligible to use the funds for revenue-generating space improvements, moving/relocation costs, lease payments, and down payment assistance to purchase commercial space.

The grant is intended for applicants that face imminent relocation pressures. Eligible businesses must be a rent-paying, for-profit business with a store front physically located and currently operating within the Downtown Chapel Hill municipal service district, with no more than 50 employees (FTEs) and annual revenues less than $5M. Franchises are only eligible if franchisee is independent. Additional eligibility criteria and application scoring information can be found in the Downtown Chapel Hill Small Business Relocation Grant Program Guidelines

Applications for the grant program are now closed. The application form was open from July 1st to August 30th, 2023, at 5 PM. The grant subcommittee is expected to review the applications and select the grant recipient(s) in Fall 2023. Questions about the program guidelines or application can be sent via email to katie.bowden@townofchapelhill.org.