Grants now available for those opening retail on H Street

Looking to open a retail business on H Street?  There's now grant support for you.  Grants up to $85,000 are available for those who will bring new types of retail to H Street. 

Eligibility is fairly broad and available to anyone with H Street frontage and over 1200 square feet.  Liquor stores, restaurants, bars, hair spots, and cell phone stores are ineligible.  Priority is given to innovative ideas.  We've heard a couple good ones already.  The program is also open to existing businesses that would expand, so long as the expansion would add new jobs 

There will be two rounds of grants.  Applications for the first round are due by October 26.  A portion of funds will be reserved for the second round of applications, which are due January 4, 2012.  The Deputy Mayor's Office for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED) will host an info session on September 21, 5:30 p.m. at Smith Commons (1245 H St).