Boston business owners will have a second chance to get a major financial boost through a grant offered by the city, in an effort by the Wu administration to fill vacant commercial space in Downtown and other neighborhoods.
“Our small businesses represent the vibrancy and diversity of Boston and our communities,” Mayor Michelle Wu said a news release. “Since launching the SPACE Grant program, we’ve felt the outsized impact of supporting entrepreneurs who were eager to be located Downtown and filling vacant commercial spaces, but didn’t have the extra capital to make it happen. In this next round of funding, we’re excited to help another group of business owners find long-term success in locations throughout Boston.
The goal of the program is both to fill empty storefronts with small businesses, and help to close the racial wealth gap. Priority will be given to businesses in industries that were most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, including arts and entertainment, fitness, food, retail and more.