New grant from Maryland DHCD will fund interior upgrades for small businesses and activate vacant storefronts along the corridor.
The York Road Improvement District (YRID) is proud to announce that it has been awarded $100,000 in funding from the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) through the Baltimore Regional Neighborhoods Initiative (BRNI). This major award will launch the York Road Tenant Improvement Program, a new initiative designed to strengthen our small business community and reduce commercial vacancy.
While recent years have seen significant investment in façade improvements along York Road, many business owners still face steep costs when it comes to interior renovations.
This new program addresses that gap directly. The funds will support a competitive mini-grant process aimed at helping small, priority minority-owned businesses and property owners upgrade interior spaces, improve customer experiences, and bring vacant storefronts back to life
The Tenant Improvement Program will provide matching grants ranging from $5,000 to $25,000. These funds are designed to leverage private investment, requiring a 50% match from the grantee.
Eligible improvements will include critical interior work such as:
- HVAC repair and installation
- Electrical and plumbing upgrades
- Flooring, lighting, and shelving
- ADA-compliant restroom installation
- Interior signage
By lowering the barrier to entry for entrepreneurs, this program aims to activate long-underutilized spaces and help our legacy businesses thrive. We anticipate that this initial $100,000 investment will leverage at least another $100,000 in private rehabilitation costs, injecting over $200,000 of total investment into the corridor.
YRID will administer the program in partnership with key community stakeholders, including Loyola University Maryland and Healthy Neighborhoods Inc..
The York Road Improvement District is currently finalizing the program guidelines and application process. We anticipate opening applications to corridor businesses in March 2026. Stay tuned to our newsletter and website for official release dates.