Skip To Main Content

Medford Vacant Storefront Grant Program

Program Details

The City of Medford’s Office of Planning, Development, and Sustainability established a Vacant Storefront Grant Program to help attract and support businesses moving into Medford storefronts. This program provides grants of up to $25,000 to qualifying businesses that intend to occupy a currently vacant retail storefront in Medford. Grants through this program can be matched by a refundable tax credit of up to $25,000 through the Massachusetts Economic Advisory Coordinating Council (EACC) state-wide Massachusetts Vacant Storefront Program (MVSP).  

A large sign in the foreground reads %22RETAIL SPACE FOR LEASE%22, indicating that the space behind the sign is available for commercial leasing. The background appears to be a building or storefront with a green door or entryway.

The program aims to support up to two businesses in Calendar Year 2026. Applications for this cycle will be accepted on a rolling basis.

The grant is funded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Community Development Block Grant (CDBG). All grants under this program are subject to the availability of CDBG funding from HUD and to the continued eligibility of the City to receive such funds.

Eligible Spaces

For eligibility, the vacant storefront must meet the following criteria:

  • Located in Medford, MA
  • Been vacant for at least 6 months
  • Located on the first floor of a building with a true storefront

Eligible Applicants

Eligible businesses must be either a Microenterprise or a Small Business, defined as:

Microenterprises are businesses with 5 or fewer full-time employees, including any owners. To be eligible for the program, microenterprise owners must be Medford residents and the applicant’s family household must qualify as a low- or moderate-income (LMI) household earning 80% or less of the Area Median Income.

Small Businesses are businesses with more than 5 employees and less than 500 employees, including any business owners.

To be eligible, the small business applicant must commit to hiring a LMI Medford resident to fill at least one full-time equivalent permanent job. Applicants will be required to submit quarterly reports on their hiring activities to ensure compliance with the grant. Small business owners do not have to be Medford residents and do not have household income restrictions.

For full details on the grant requirements, please visit our Grant Guidelines.

Grant Applications

Applicants should complete the following steps to apply:

  1. Review the Grant Guidelines
  2. Demonstrate you are in the process of leasing an eligible vacant space
  3. Prepare income documentation if the owner operates a microenterprise and complete the Medford Self Declaration of Income form
  4. Fill out the Online Application, linked below:

 

medford application

State Refundable Tax Credit Applications: You must first submit an application to the Medford Vacant Storefront Grant Program before applying for state tax credits.

Once applicants have been verified for eligibility in the municipal grant program, the Economic Development Planner will assist the business owner in preparing their MSVP application. Please see the state’s application form, guidelines, and due dates at the following state website.

The EACC Board will vote on the MSVP applications at the quarterly meetings in March, June, September, and December.

Past Cycles

  • In 2025, the Office of PDS ran the first cycle of the Vacant Storefront Grant Program. The Office was awarded $20,000 in matchable tax credit funds through the Massachusetts Economic Advisory Coordinating Council’s MVSP. The Office granted one award of $10,000 to a Medford small business owner.

Additional Information

For more information on how to apply, contact:

Kayla Myros
Economic Development Planner

(781) 393-2480 | kmyros@medford-ma.gov