Hartford Rises Together

with Hart Lift

Hart Lift ignites community growth by empowering property owners and businesses, raising up Hartford through shared progress and resilience.

Our Continued Mission

Enhance Hartford’s Small Business Community

The Hartford Chamber of Commerce serves to support our business community. We’re committed to making our city a place where businesses can thrive. The good news is, we’ve received grant funding and we’re here to help.

The Hartford Chamber recognizes the challenges property owners have undergone due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Many were unable to secure tenants in vacant storefronts, which created a reduction in revenues, increased costs, and an escalation of deserted business corridors. Our goal is to uplift these property owners and connect future business owners to opportunities for storefront space in Hartford.

What is Hart Lift?

Through the newly created Hart Lift program, the Hartford Chamber is directing up to $7,000,000 of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to property owners throughout the City of Hartford who have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. These funds must be fully distributed by December 31, 2024.

The funds are intended to assist both the landlord and the business owner with costs to build out the space (both interior and exterior). The property owner and business owner should have an agreement for how the funds will be used.

View the Hart Lift Recipients

Program Details

Eligibility

Hart Lift Grant funding is for property owners with businesses tenants. At this time we have paused funding we are only taking pre-applications for future grant funding. All pre-applications will be added to a waitlist and we will reach out once we can move forward.

Property owner and business owners must be in good standing located in the City of Hartford (e.g., not delinquent on real or personal property taxes)
All properties must be on the ground floor retail space
Properties with existing tenant must have a lease of a minimum 3 years
Property owner or business owners must prove they’ve been negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic

Parameters

Hart Lift grants can only be used for buildout costs. Eligible work may include, but not be limited to wall:

Floor, stair, ceiling, general façade work, handicapped accessibility projects, installation and/or repair of plumbing, electrical, heating, and ventilation.
Costs associated with the purchase, delivery, and installation of furniture, fixtures, and equipment are also eligible.
Soft costs, including but not limited to architect and engineer fees, can be eligible but shall not exceed 10% of total reimbursement amount.

Additional details:

Property owners with business tenants are eligible for a grant of $50 per square foot, up to $150,000 max.
Any grant award amount in the designated downtown area must be matched at 100% by the owner of the property, the proprietor, or a combination of both parties.
Any grant award amount in the designated neighborhoods must be matched at 50% by the owner of the property, the proprietor, or a combination of both parties.
Grant awardees are required to spend their match prior to grant fund disbursement.
Property owners with multiple vacant storefronts can apply for a grant for each empty property.