Mayor Wu Announces Space Grant Awardees, Introducing New Local Businesses to Downtown Storefronts

Mayor Michelle Wu today announced 24 small businesses that will be receiving American Rescue Plan (ARPA) funding through the Supporting Pandemic Affected Community Enterprises (SPACE) Grant to help them expand their businesses and move into vacant storefronts Citywide. This first round of SPACE Grants will distribute $2,830,000 in an effort to bring more foot traffic into major commercial districts, revitalize Boston’s downtown, bring vibrancy to City neighborhoods, and close the racial wealth gap. Of the businesses receiving grants, 75 percent are minority-owned and more than 60 percent are women-owned.

In addition to awarding businesses grants to open their new premises, the City is providing each business with wrap-around services to assist grantees with lease negotiation, accounting, taxes, regulatory compliance, marketing, and employee-ownership to ensure long-term success. The Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce and the Associated Industries of Massachusetts (AIM), are also offering a free one-year membership to their organizations. 

“Downtown Boston’s post-pandemic revitalization will accelerate through the Wu Administration’s announcement today of the first cohort of SPACE grantees, many of whom are poised to bring economic vitality to vacant storefronts in our central business district,” said Michael Nichols, President of the Downtown Boston BID. “This program has lowered the barrier for businesses representing the rich diversity and entrepreneurial ingenuity of our city to enter the downtown market, and the impact of these retailers will be felt for years to come.”