Businesses in Akron’s 13 Great Streets Neighborhood Business Districts can apply for two different grant programs that aim to support operations and business development, along with site and exterior improvements, according to a news release from the City of Akron. 

Akron has awarded more than $2 million to local businesses since the Great Streets program began in 2018. Go to the Great Streets grants information page to apply — applications should be submitted by Sept. 30. 

Questions about the grants can be sent to Small Business Administrator Isaiah Young at kyoung@akronohio.gov.

Brian Parsons mural
Painted by artist Brian Parsons, a mural reflecting Goodyear Heights is seen on the Linda Theatre Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023, in Akron. Credit: Kassi Filkins / Signal Akron

The two grants include:

The Micro Enterprise Business Improvement Grant

This grant of $100,000 to the city will be used to support general operations and business development for entrepreneurs (in the Great Streets districts) who own their own businesses with five or fewer employees. The grants — up to $5,000 per business — will connect the grant recipients with professional advisers who will provide guidance along the way.

The Façade/Building Improvement Grant 

This grant of $300,000 will help pay for exterior improvements and/or site improvements of businesses. Eligible businesses (in the Great Streets districts) may access up to $20,000 in matching grant funds. 

Eligible items include, but aren’t limited to: facade renovations, brick and masonry cleaning, installation of new doors and windows and signage improvements. Suggested projects can be found here. 

A block along the historic Kenmore Boulevard
A block along the historic Kenmore Boulevard Thursday, Nov. 30, 2023, in Akron’s Kenmore neighborhood. Credit: Kassi Filkins / Signal Akron

Where is the money for the grants coming from?

The City of Akron has been awarded Community Development Block Grants provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. 

Where can I find more small business assistance?

Assistance for small businesses of various sizes and at various stages of development can be found on the resources page of the Great Streets Akron webpage and also through the Greater Akron Business Navigator.

What is the Great Streets Akron Initiative?

The Great Streets Akron Initiative is a program that supports the city’s neighborhood business districts and the locally owned businesses located within them. The districts are “where storefront businesses can help build walkability, improve neighborhood health outcomes, build sociability, increase community pride, improve safety, create job opportunities and, through co-location, increase business viability while contributing to the local economy,” according to the city’s release.

There are 13 Neighborhood Business Districts — downtown Akron is an honorary 14th — including: 

  • Copley East
  • Ellet
  • Firestone/Aster Avenue
  • Goodyear Heights
  • Kenmore
  • Maple Valley
  • Merriman Valley
  • Middlebury
  • North Hill
  • South Arlington
  • Sherbondy Hill
  • Wallhaven
  • West Hill  

Maps of the districts are available on the Great Streets website.

Editor-in-Chief (she/her)
Zake has deep roots in Northeast Ohio journalism. She was the managing editor for multimedia and special projects at the Akron Beacon Journal, where she began work as a staff photographer in 1986. Over a 20-year career, Zake worked in a variety of roles across departments that all help inform her current role as Signal Akron's editor in chief. Most recently, she was a journalism professor and student media adviser at Kent State University, where she worked with the next generation of journalists to understand public policy, environmental reporting, data and solutions reporting. Among her accomplishments was the launch of the Kent State NewsLab, an experiential and collaborative news commons that connects student reporters with outside professional partners.