Business Resources

BBNWO offers competitive fixed-rate Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing for projects that focus on conserving energy and generating savings through energy efficiency retrofits to new and existing facilities. Eligible energy efficiency improvements to all types and sizes of buildings can be financed though PACE and repaid via a special assessment on the facility.

The Brownfield Assessment Grant provides funding to proactively conduct environmental assessments and remedial planning activities for brownfield sites. A "brownfield" is defined as an abandoned, idled, or under-used industrial, commercial, or institutional property where expansion or redevelopment is complicated by known or potential releases of hazardous substances. The program provides funding up to 100% of the eligible expenses, up to a maximum of $50,000 per project.

The Brownfield Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) program, funded through a grant from USEPA, provides loans and grants for the cleanup and subsequent redevelopment of brownfield properties.

The City of Toledo’s Commercial and Industrial Tax Abatement (“CITA”) Program is designed to spur economic activity and job growth that would not have otherwise occurred in the absence of the incentive. The incentive helps minimize risk by lowering operating expenses of a development project that results in the creation or retention of jobs in Toledo. This program offers up to a 100% exemption on the increased property value resulting from new construction or significant renovations. The abatement period extends up to 12 years for renovations and up to 15 years for new construction. The map below illustrates the RTA zones located throughout the city.

The City of Toledo’s Commercial and Industrial Tax Abatement (“CITA”) Program is designed to spur economic activity and job growth that would not have otherwise occurred in the absence of the incentive. The incentive helps minimize risk by lowering operating expenses of a development project that results in the creation or retention of jobs in Toledo. This program offers up to a 100% exemption on the increased property value resulting from new construction or significant renovations. The abatement period extends up to 12 years for renovations and up to 15 years for new construction. The map below illustrates the RTA zones located throughout the city.

The City of Toledo’s Residential Tax Abatement (RTA) Program is designed to spur housing development and rejuvenate existing housing stock within city limits. This program offers a 100% exemption on the increased property value resulting from new home construction or significant renovations. The abatement period extends up to 12 years for renovations and up to 15 years for new construction. The map below illustrates the RTA zones located throughout the city.

The Enterprise Development Loan is designed to support business growth and expansion, encourage job creation, attract private investment, and enhance economic development. By offering loans to businesses at competitive rates, the program aims to strengthen neighborhood vitality and commercial activity in Toledo. The program’s ultimate goal is to invest in sustainable businesses that deliver strong economic returns while contributing positive social and economic benefits.

The City of Toledo, Department of Economic Development hereby announces the availability of $240,000 in funding for the Facade Improvement Grant Program. The program is designed to incentivize property owners to comprehensively enhance the facade of their commercial, industrial, or mixed-use buildings.

The grant reimburses 50% of eligible expenses incurred during a facade improvement project. For projects located in a City designated Neighborhood Revitalization Strategic Area (NRSA), the grant reimburses 75% of eligible expenses. A facade is defined as the principal face(s) of a building that is on a public street. The minimum reimbursement is $10,000 and the maximum is $40,000.

The Municipal Jobs Creation Tax Credit program provides a nonrefundable credit against a company’s net profits tax liability to the City of Toledo based on the number of jobs and payroll created. The primary goals of the program are to attract and retain companies in target industries and increase the number of high paying jobs for Toledoans.

The Toledo Lucas County Port Authority offers these programs:

- Community Economic Development Initiative
- Toledo Microenterprise Development Initiative
- Diversified Contractors Accelerator Program

- Northwest Ohio Bond Fund
- Infrastructure Financing
- Conduit Bond Structure
- Capital Lease Transaction

- Ohio Regional 166 Loan
- Small Business Administration 504 Loan
- Northwest Ohio Revolving Loan Fund

Flexible low-interest long term financing for a variety of business needs and uses.

Loan terms up to 20 years at lower interest rates than those offered through conventional financing. Developer deals or income producing properties are also eligible.

Minimum loan of $300,000.

Are you an established company, looking to grow or scale up? We're offering small business loans at competitive interest rates through

the Toledo Business Growth Fund. This fund was established to support business growth and neighborhood investment.

The Toledo Expansion Incentive program provides a monetary, performance-based grant to attract and retain businesses in the City of Toledo. The grant is based on the actual growth in annual municipal income tax that is generated from eligible new employees and payroll associated with the company’s project. The primary goals of the program are to attract and retain companies in target industries and increase the number of high paying jobs for Toledoans.

As the nation’s #1 SBA microlender, we provide responsible, affordable small business loans through SBA and other funding sources. We invest in people — not just numbers — so every entrepreneur has the opportunity to build their dream. Whether you’re just turning an idea into a business plan or you’re an established business ready to open a new location, we combine accessible lending with the training, advising, and resources you need to succeed.

JobsOhio exists to empower world-class corporations, entrepreneurs, and talented individuals to build their businesses and careers in Ohio. Its advocacy and investments in partnership with the State enable sustainable economic growth and a better quality of life for all Ohioans through the power and dignity of work.

The Regional 166 Direct Loan Program ("Regional 166 Direct Loan" or the "Program") promotes economic development, business expansion, and job creation and/or retention by providing low interest loans to businesses who may have limited access to adequate capital from private sources of financing.

The Ohio Department of Development works to support communities and private companies in revitalizing local properties and creating opportunities for improvements. Through its redevelopment programs, blighted and hazardous sites are given new life. Through energy programs, businesses, manufacturers, nonprofits, schools and local governments receive assistance to reduce energy use and improve energy efficiency - resulting in lower energy costs.

The Ohio Historic Preservation Tax Credit Program provides a tax credit to leverage the private redevelopment of historic buildings. The program is highly competitive and receives applications bi-annually in March and September.

With 34 rounds of funding complete as of December 2025, tax credits have been approved for 734 projects to rehabilitate 994 historic buildings in 93 different Ohio communities. The program is projected to leverage more than $10,973,870,050 in private development funding and federal tax credits directly through the rehabilitation projects.

Most grant opportunities noted here are for nonprofit organizations and publicly funded entities such as schools, libraries, or units of county or local government. History and preservation-related grants for for-profit businesses are not as common.

To qualify for many preservation grants or historic tax credits, a property must be listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

The federal tax bill passed on Dec. 18, 2017, included the Opportunity Zone program, which gave states the chance to examine census tracts and nominate low-income areas with potential for long-term investment to be targeted for a tax-incentive program.

After being designated by the U.S. Department of Treasury, Ohio’s 320 Opportunity Zones began generating attention from investors interested in taking advantage of their favorable tax benefits. Meanwhile, communities, potential project owners, and economic development organizations are eager to provide opportunities to investors.

Opportunity Zones, created in the 2017 Tax Cut and Jobs Act, encourage long-term investments in low-income urban and rural areas nationwide.