Seattle Tenant Improvement Program: Pre-lease, Design, Sign, and Equipment Applications
Thank you for your interest in applying to the Tenant Improvement Program. We will consider only one application per applicant.
Please carefully read through the different program descriptions below, to find which one fits the stage of your current business. Application materials submitted to the Office of Economic Development become public information. Members of the public may request a copy of them with a formal request. Materials are subject to public disclosure due to the Washington State Public Disclosure Act (PDA:RCW 42.17). To request a copy of the act, contact the State of Washington Code Revisers’ Office in Olympia at (360) 786 6777.
This application is for Pre-Lease, Design, Sign, and Equipment grants. Click HERE to apply for Health & Safety and New Construction grants.
EMERGE TRACK
Pre-Lease: This award provides a solid support system and team of experts to business owners ready to move into a brick and mortar for the first time and grow their business. This award is for business owners who have operated successfully for 2 years as a pop up (less than 1 year in a space), mobile or internet-based business and would like to move into a brick-and-mortar location. Participants will receive development coaching to solidify their business plan, determine how a space might benefit their business model, and create projections for their future in a new space.
Design: This award supports business owners with start to finish design and permitting for their tenant improvement project. This award is for business owners who are building out a commercial space for the first time. Business owners must have funding for their actual build-out but need support in the form of architectural services to design and permit their location. Business owners will already have a space secured, a good idea of what they will need to modify to make the space usable, and a rough estimate of what this will cost.
IMPROVE TRACK
Sign (up to $15,000): This funding is for business owners who need updated or more visible signage for their commercial space.
Equipment (up to $50,000): This funding is for business owners who need to repair or replace equipment that is essential to the operation of their business.
Health & Safety (up to $100,000): This funding is for business owners who have been in their current location for some time (not a new build-out), and who need upgrades to their space which will impact the health and safety of themselves, their staff and customers. This includes examples such as improved or increased ventilation, interior repairs to the commercial space, security updates or increased accessibility to the space such as ADA compliant entrances or restrooms. This program does not include improvements which are largely aesthetic or surface-level. (CLICK HERE TO APPLY)
EXPAND TRACK
New Construction (average of $250,000): This funding is for business owners that have a signed lease or LOI for their location and need to complete a new build-out. Businesses should have most of the funding they need to complete their project but will have a gap in their budget that the TI Program can fill. Businesses should have a realistic scope of their project, including design, build-out costs, funding sources, and ready to begin their project within the next 12 months. (CLICK HERE TO APPLY)
To complete your application, please gather the following information:
UBI number
City of Seattle Business License
Signed Lease (unless applying for Pre-Lease or New Construction projects)
Budget for your proposed project including any bids collected for your proposed project
2022 and 2023 Tax Returns
For program and application questions, contact Celwyn Green and Jenn Charoni at OED: oed_tiprogram@seattle.gov or call (206) 684-8090.
Seattle TI Program: Pre-lease, Sign, Design and Equipment
Seattle Tenant Improvement Program: Pre-lease, Design, Sign, and Equipment Applications
Thank you for your interest in applying to the Tenant Improvement Program. We will consider only one application per applicant.
Please carefully read through the different program descriptions below, to find which one fits the stage of your current business. Application materials submitted to the Office of Economic Development become public information. Members of the public may request a copy of them with a formal request. Materials are subject to public disclosure due to the Washington State Public Disclosure Act (PDA:RCW 42.17). To request a copy of the act, contact the State of Washington Code Revisers’ Office in Olympia at (360) 786 6777.
This application is for Pre-Lease, Design, Sign, and Equipment grants. Click HERE to apply for Health & Safety and New Construction grants.
EMERGE TRACK
Pre-Lease: This award provides a solid support system and team of experts to business owners ready to move into a brick and mortar for the first time and grow their business. This award is for business owners who have operated successfully for 2 years as a pop up (less than 1 year in a space), mobile or internet-based business and would like to move into a brick-and-mortar location. Participants will receive development coaching to solidify their business plan, determine how a space might benefit their business model, and create projections for their future in a new space.
Design: This award supports business owners with start to finish design and permitting for their tenant improvement project. This award is for business owners who are building out a commercial space for the first time. Business owners must have funding for their actual build-out but need support in the form of architectural services to design and permit their location. Business owners will already have a space secured, a good idea of what they will need to modify to make the space usable, and a rough estimate of what this will cost.
IMPROVE TRACK
Sign (up to $15,000): This funding is for business owners who need updated or more visible signage for their commercial space.
Equipment (up to $50,000): This funding is for business owners who need to repair or replace equipment that is essential to the operation of their business.
Health & Safety (up to $100,000): This funding is for business owners who have been in their current location for some time (not a new build-out), and who need upgrades to their space which will impact the health and safety of themselves, their staff and customers. This includes examples such as improved or increased ventilation, interior repairs to the commercial space, security updates or increased accessibility to the space such as ADA compliant entrances or restrooms. This program does not include improvements which are largely aesthetic or surface-level. (CLICK HERE TO APPLY)
EXPAND TRACK
New Construction (average of $250,000): This funding is for business owners that have a signed lease or LOI for their location and need to complete a new build-out. Businesses should have most of the funding they need to complete their project but will have a gap in their budget that the TI Program can fill. Businesses should have a realistic scope of their project, including design, build-out costs, funding sources, and ready to begin their project within the next 12 months. (CLICK HERE TO APPLY)
To complete your application, please gather the following information:
UBI number
City of Seattle Business License
Signed Lease (unless applying for Pre-Lease or New Construction projects)
Budget for your proposed project including any bids collected for your proposed project
2022 and 2023 Tax Returns
For program and application questions, contact Celwyn Green and Jenn Charoni at OED: oed_tiprogram@seattle.gov or call (206) 684-8090.