Joshua Hall

The Small Business Division currently has two programs in place to serve the small business community in the City of Hartford. The programs are directly managed by the Small Business Division and some of the facade improvement funding comes from state bonding (approximately $1 million to $1.25 million).

• The Small Business Investment Fund is a matching grant program. It allows for up to $100,000 for each business, with a required 50% match. This means that the business must demonstrate a project or business need of at least $150,000 to get the maximum amount. It is an effort to stabilize and support small businesses post-pandemic.
• The Small Business Facade Improvement Program is a forgivable loan program. Property owners and small business owners with landlord written approval can apply for up to $50,000 with a 25% match. This program allows for non-structural upgrades to building facades in designated commercial corridors. The program intends to prioritize buildings in a block or adjacent buildings to reach maximum collective impact on the physical appearance of the streets.