Economic Development & Business Improvement Grants

The City of Milwaukie’s urban renewal agency—Milwaukie Redevelopment Commission—offers 50% matching grants to help offset costs associated with specific commercial construction and building projects. See grant programs and basic details below. An applicant’s business or property must be located within the Urban Renewal Area to take advantage of these programs. All programs are implemented on a first come, first served basis. 

STOREFRONT IMPROVEMENT GRANT PROGRAM ($25,000 Maximum Grant)*

• Purpose: Enhance the aesthetic appearance and facade of buildings.
• Eligible Applicants: Property owners or tenants (with owner approval) within the urban renewal area.
• Eligible Activities: Improvements that improve the appearance and functionality of the ground floor retail/commercial space. Examples: windows, entrances, transoms, awnings, signs, building rehabilitation, paint, siding, and
• similar upgrades.
• Requires a 50% financial match of the construction cost.

TENANT IMPROVEMENT GRANT PROGRAM ($25,000 Maximum Grant)*

• Purpose: Improving the interior of a building to meet various code requirements
• Eligible Applicants: Property owners or tenants (with owner approval) within the URA
• Eligible Activities: Interior improvements that are intended to expand or upgrade the ground floor tenant space. This program is restricted to restaurants, curated retail and other similar uses that generate foot traffic. Examples of improvements: new kitchen equipment (in the case of restaurants) or other improvements intended to accommodate desired uses, including cost of improvements required by code, such as grease traps, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) improvements to restrooms and exiting, etc.
• Requires a 50% financial match of the construction cost.

*An eligible applicant can pursue both the Storefront Improvement and Tenant Improvement Programs. The city will also consider reimbursement grants for eligible activities that after January 1, 2023 occurred and before the launch date of the programs (August 1, 2024).

PRE-DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE GRANT PROGRAM ($50,000 Max Grant)

• Purpose: Intended to provide funding for a wide variety of professional studies, which the city deems
• likely to support and spur new development (either new construction or major rehabilitation) that advances the aspirations for the downtown core and urban renewal area as expressed in the Urban Renewal Plan.
• Eligible Applicants: Property owners, as well as prospective owners or developers who can demonstrate that they are in a position to own the property in question.
• Eligible Activities: Any technical studies and services that assist in the possible redevelopment of a property.
• Requires a 50% financial match of the product cost

The Milwaukie Redevelopment Commission will own the work that it funds and may opt to share it with
other parties.

ANTI-DISPLACEMENT BUSINESS CONSULTING  ($2,500 Maximum - Service Based)

• Purpose: In an attempt to prevent displacing existing businesses, this program offers professional consulting services that are intended to help businesses stay competitive and relevant in today’s market. It is also intended for those businesses who are not ready or lack the means to pursue the other programs listed above.
• Eligible Applicants: Business owners in the urban renewal area who have been operating for at least two years
• Eligible Activities: Consulting services related to interior and exterior design planning, merchandising, branding, displays and similar related effects.
• No match required. This program provides free professional consulting services up to a certain hourly rate.