Due to the large amount of interest in the Hart Lift program, we are only accepting applications from property owners with a vacant storefront at this time.
Our Continued Mission to Enhance Hartford’s 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 $6,000,000 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.
Hart Lift’s intent is to provide property owners with funds to help incentivize small businesses to lease their vacant spaces and provide a much-needed economic boost in our downtown and neighborhood commercial corridors. View the downtown boundaries here.
Program Eligibility
Grant funding is available to property owners (e.g., not delinquent on real or personal property taxes)
- in good standing located in the City of Hartford
- with vacant or unleased ground floor retail space
- with existing tenant with a lease of at least 3 years
- negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic
Program Parameters
- Grants provided can only be used for buildout costs of new or existing ground floor spaces in Hartford
- Property owners with vacant storefront are eligible for a grant of $50 per square foot, up to $150,000
- Any grant awarded to property owners in the designated downtown area must be matched at 100% by the owner of the property, the proprietor, or a combination of both parties
- Grants received by property owners outside of the downtown area must be matched at 50% by the owner of the property, the proprietor, or a combination of both parties
- Property owners with multiple vacant storefronts can apply for a grant for each empty property
Vacant Storefront Property Owner
Those who own vacant storefront properties can use the link below to fill out a pre-application
Current or Future Business Owner
Current or future business owners seeking a space in Hartford can use the link below to fill out an inquiry form
Hart Lift Program Partners
Hart Lift Program Media Coverage
WFSB
Hart Lift programs aims to bring small business back to downtown Hartford
December 2, 2021
Ashley Smith
WFSB
Video: Hart Lift Program launches in Hartford
December 2, 2021
WTNH
Hart-lift program helping activate empty storefronts in downtown Hartford
December 2, 2021
NBC Connecticut
City of Hartford Rolls Out New Program to Help Bring Businesses Back to Downtown
December 2, 2021
Hartford Business Journal
Hartford Chamber, city launching $6M grant program to help landlords fill empty storefronts
December 2, 2021
Zachary Vasile
Hartford Courant
$6 million in COVID-19 relief set aside to help fill Hartford’s vacant store fronts
December 2, 2021
Rebecca Lurye
NBC Connecticut
City of Hartford Launches Program to Restart Vacant Storefronts
December 2, 2021
For more information about the Hart Lift program, please contact Hartford Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Julio Concepcion