Houston provides economic grants to qualifying public, private, and nonprofit organizations. The city provides these grants to stimulate business and commercial activity within Houston. A city may establish programs to deliver loans or grants of public money, financing state and local economic development.

Who administers these development programs?

• We may use city employees
• We may contract with state, political, non-profit or other organizations.

This flexible law allows Houston to create development programs that align and adapt with our City. Historically, the City uses future tax growth (ad valorem property, sales, and mixed beverage tax revenues) to finance these grants.

Eligible Participants

• Public, private, and nonprofit organizations.

Houston may use public funds, revenue our city charter permits us to collect. (Tax Revenue, Grants, Gifts etc.)

List of past grants the city authorized

Varies by projact

Varies by project

1. Application period is open

2. Preferred Vendor/Contractor required: No preferred vendor/contractor

3. Pre-Approval Required: No

4. Pre-Inspection Required: No

5. Post-Audit Required: 

6. Average time from Application to Approval: No

7. After approval, funds typically received: No

1. Stage 1
   > A group reaches out to the Economic Development Division (EDD) via our "contacts us" form (on the new website), briefly explaining their project
   > EDD emails a response: either explaining project does not align with priorities or invites the developer to present the project to EDD and fill out a Business Information Form (BIF)

2. Stage 2
   > Developer presents the project to individuals within the EDD
   > The division scores the development using a matrix and the BIF

3. Stage 3
   > Qualifying developments are asked to discuss ways to layer their investments with other city initiatives and plans; this phase may involve several discussions and meetings across city departments, such as:
   - The Department of Public Works and Engineering
   - The Planning Department
   - The Department of Housing and Community Development

4. Stage 4
   > The group submits a formal application (original application)
   > If the city finds application (including financial pro-forma) aligns with city initiatives and agrees with financial assumptions then the division begins to draft an economic development agreement with City of Houston's Legal Department

5. Stage 5
   > The agreement is presented to council for approval

Let our Apply Experts handle all of your eligible applications and help you maximize your savings! IncentiFind can help you take advantage of this grant program for just $150-$450 per hour. The application process can range anywhere from 20-40 hours. IncentiFind will provide a quote for your approval.

Eligibility

Tax Abatement and other incentives offered to commercial property owners within a defined Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone.

The project plan must include:

• a map showing existing uses/conditions of real property in the zone & a map showing proposed improvements/uses of that property;
• proposed changes of zoning ordinances, the master plan of the municipality, building codes, other municipal ordinances, & subdivision rules and regulations, if any, of the county, if applicable;
• list of estimated non-project costs; and
• statement of a method of relocating persons to be displaced as a result of implementing the plan.

The reinvestment zone financing plan must include:

• a detailed list describing the estimated project costs of the zone, including administrative expenses;
• statement listing the kind, number, and location of all proposed public works or public improvements in the zone;
• economic feasibility study;
• estimated amount of bonded indebtedness to be incurred;
• time when related costs or monetary obligations are to be incurred;
• description of the methods of financing all estimated project costs &expected sources of revenue to finance or pay project costs, including the % of tax increment to be derived from the property taxes of each taxing unit that levies taxes on real property in the zone;
• current total appraised value of taxable real property in the zone;
• estimated captured appraised value of the zone during each year of its existence; and
• duration of the zone.

The governing body of the municipality that created the zone must approve a project plan or reinvestment zone financing plan after its adoption by the board. The approval must be by ordinance, in the case of a municipality, that finds that the plan is feasible and conforms to the master plan, if any, of the municipality or to subdivision rules and regulations, if any, of the county.

To be designated as a reinvestment zone, an area must:

Substantially arrest or impair the sound growth of the municipality or county creating the zone, retard the provision of housing accommodations, or constitute an economic or social liability and be a menace to the public health, safety, morals, or welfare in its present condition and use because of the presence of:

• a substantial number of substandard, slum, deteriorated, or deteriorating structures;
• the predominance of defective or inadequate sidewalk or street layout;
• faulty lot layout in relation to size, adequacy, accessibility, or usefulness;
• unsanitary or unsafe conditions;
• the deterioration of site or other improvements;
• tax or special assessment delinquency exceeding the fair value of the land;
• defective or unusual conditions of title;
• conditions that endanger life or property by fire or other cause; or
• structures, other than single-family residential structures, less than 10 percent of the square footage of which has been used for commercial, industrial, or residential purposes during the preceding 12 years, if the municipality has a population of 100,000 or more;

Varies by project

Budgets vary by TIRZ zone, see here.

1. Application period is open

2. Preferred Vendor/Contractor required: No preferred vendor/contractor

3. Pre-Approval Required: No

4. Pre-Inspection Required: No

5. Post-Audit Required: 

6. Average time from Application to Approval: No

7. After approval, funds typically received: No

1. Confirm which TIRZ the project is located in here.

2. The board of directors of a reinvestment zone shall prepare and adopt a project plan and a reinvestment zone financing plan for the zone and submit the plans to the governing body of the municipality that created the zone.

3. The plans must be as consistent as possible with the preliminary plans developed for the zone before the creation of the board.

IncentiFind can connect you to our third party expert who can explain why this incentive may be right for your project.

If you would like IncentiFind to connect you to our third party expert, please click "Get Connected" below and an email introduction will be sent. Please note that your survey response may be shared with this third party expert in order to facilitate a better conversation.

Eligibility

Tax Abatement and other incentives offered to commercial property owners within a defined Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone.

The project plan must include:

• a map showing existing uses/conditions of real property in the zone & a map showing proposed improvements/uses of that property;
• proposed changes of zoning ordinances, the master plan of the municipality, building codes, other municipal ordinances, & subdivision rules and regulations, if any, of the county, if applicable;
• list of estimated non-project costs; and
• statement of a method of relocating persons to be displaced as a result of implementing the plan.

The reinvestment zone financing plan must include:

• a detailed list describing the estimated project costs of the zone, including administrative expenses;
• statement listing the kind, number, and location of all proposed public works or public improvements in the zone;
• economic feasibility study;
• estimated amount of bonded indebtedness to be incurred;
• time when related costs or monetary obligations are to be incurred;
• description of the methods of financing all estimated project costs &expected sources of revenue to finance or pay project costs, including the % of tax increment to be derived from the property taxes of each taxing unit that levies taxes on real property in the zone;
• current total appraised value of taxable real property in the zone;
• estimated captured appraised value of the zone during each year of its existence; and
• duration of the zone.

The governing body of the municipality that created the zone must approve a project plan or reinvestment zone financing plan after its adoption by the board. The approval must be by ordinance, in the case of a municipality, that finds that the plan is feasible and conforms to the master plan, if any, of the municipality or to subdivision rules and regulations, if any, of the county.

To be designated as a reinvestment zone, an area must:

Substantially arrest or impair the sound growth of the municipality or county creating the zone, retard the provision of housing accommodations, or constitute an economic or social liability and be a menace to the public health, safety, morals, or welfare in its present condition and use because of the presence of:

• a substantial number of substandard, slum, deteriorated, or deteriorating structures;
• the predominance of defective or inadequate sidewalk or street layout;
• faulty lot layout in relation to size, adequacy, accessibility, or usefulness;
• unsanitary or unsafe conditions;
• the deterioration of site or other improvements;
• tax or special assessment delinquency exceeding the fair value of the land;
• defective or unusual conditions of title;
• conditions that endanger life or property by fire or other cause; or
• structures, other than single-family residential structures, less than 10 percent of the square footage of which has been used for commercial, industrial, or residential purposes during the preceding 12 years, if the municipality has a population of 100,000 or more;

Varies by project

Budgets vary by TIRZ zone. See here

1. Application period is open

2. Preferred Vendor/Contractor required: No preferred vendor/contractor

3. Pre-Approval Required: No

4. Pre-Inspection Required: No

5. Post-Audit Required: 

6. Average time from Application to Approval: No

7. After approval, funds typically received: No

1. Confirm which TIRZ the project is located in here

2. The board of directors of a reinvestment zone shall prepare and adopt a project plan and a reinvestment zone financing plan for the zone and submit the plans to the governing body of the municipality that created the zone.

3. The plans must be as consistent as possible with the preliminary plans developed for the zone before the creation of the board.

IncentiFind can connect you to our third party expert who can explain why this incentive may be right for your project.

If you would like IncentiFind to connect you to our third party expert, please click "Get Connected" below and an email introduction will be sent. Please note that your survey response may be shared with this third party expert in order to facilitate a better conversation.

Eligible Business / Applicant Eligibility

• The Program is available to new businesses that occupy the first-floor space with street front presence and access, complement the downtown retail mix, and help strengthen the existing retail clusters.
• New businesses are only eligible to apply for one HDMD grant program.
• Preference will be given to businesses located in the Key Retail Zones. Central Houston will work with developers of retail projects downtown on creating customized incentives.
• Retail can be part of a mixed-use project.

Preference will be given to following types of businesses:

• Apparel/Shoes/Home Furnishings ; Other Soft Goods
• Specialty Food Stores/Specialty Food Establishments
• Art Galleries/Museums
• Live Music/Theater; Other Performing Arts Venues

QUALIFYING PROJECT EXPENDITURES:

Tenant build-out improvements

• Design work, drawings, & renderings associated with the project
• Mechanical, electrical, plumbing work for the build-out
• HVAC, fire suppression, costs of bringing building up to current code
• Permits & inspections
• Flooring
• Lighting
• Attached fixtures

Building façade improvements

• Design work associated with the project
• Exterior treatments including painting, murals, siding, and bricking
• Repairs, replacement, and installation of exterior doors, windows, and trim
• Structural improvements to the façade
• Lighting improvements
• Removal of elements that cover architectural details
• Restoration of details on historically significant buildings
• Awnings and signage, including installation costs
• Sidewalk cafes, including balcony, deck, outdoor furnishings, planters

Program Manual here

Varies by Project.

The amount of the grant is calculated by taking the total points scored, multiplied by the total square footage of the project and multiplied by .5.

Ex: project with build-out of 2,500 square feet that scored 25 points would be awarded a grant in the ballpark of $31,250 (2,500 X 25 X .5 = 31,250).

1. Application period is open

2. Preferred Vendor/Contractor required: No preferred vendor/contractor

3. Pre-Approval Required: Yes

4. Pre-Inspection Required: No

5. Post-Audit Required: 

6. Average time from Application to Approval: 

7. After approval, funds typically received: 

1. It is recommend to always work through a certified professional.

2. Contact IncentiFind to obtain contact for Houston Downtown Management District in order to determine eligibility

3. The applicant must go through a consultation with HDMD’s Retail Development Coordinator before an application is submitted. Grant applications will not be submitted to the Committee for review until all the requested information is included and approved by HDMD.

4. The HDMD Retail/Economic Development Committee will meet monthly to review applications, unless no applications have been submitted. The applicant must present in person to the Committee the project concept, business plan and funding arrangement and articulate how the project meets the objective of the Program.

5. Once the grant is approved, the applicant has six (6) months to begin construction.

IncentiFind can connect you to our third party expert who can explain why this incentive may be right for your project.

If you would like IncentiFind to connect you to our third party expert, please click "Get Connected" below and an email introduction will be sent. Please note that your survey response may be shared with this third party expert in order to facilitate a better conversation.