To help support Albany's business community, the City of Albany has introduced a variety of grant programs. The overarching goal of these programs are to aid in growing a thriving business community, both by supporting businesses that continue to be Albany mainstays and by attracting new businesses to Albany. See below the grants that are currently being offered as well as past programs.
Current Grant Programs
Business Attraction Grant
The purpose of this grant program is to attract new businesses in Albany, fill vacant spaces in commercial areas, and give business owners financial support to overcome startup and facility upgrade costs as they look to grow their business in Albany. Applicants may receive up to $20,000 in preapproved reimbursements on spending.
To be eligible, the business must have one or more of the following:
- A current Albany business located within city limits
- A current Albany business license
- A lease agreement in place with a commercial location in Albany
Notice: This grant is currently only available to new businesses and businesses in Albany looking to relocate or expand into a commercial property.
Applications will be accepted until Thursday, December 11, 2025, 12:00 pm or until grant funds are fully expended. To find more about this program and request an application, email econdev@albanyca.org or call (510) 528-5736.
Business Façade Improvement Grant
The City of Albany Business Façade Improvement Grant Program awards financial assistance to Albany businesses or commercial property owners interested in upgrading their street-level, retail-oriented or service business facades in Albany commercial areas on San Pablo Avenue and Solano Avenue. The program will reimburse eligible improvement expenses incurred by the applicant related to the design and construction of an upgraded façade.
- Grants up to 50% of the total eligible cost, not to exceed $20,000 will be available for eligible improvement expenses approved under the City of Albany Business Façade Improvement Program.
To be eligible, the business or property owner receiving the improvements MUST be a current Albany business or own commercial property on Solano or San Pablo Avenues located within city limits, have a current Albany business license, and have no outstanding code compliance violations.
Notice: This grant is currently only available to current Albany businesses and commercial property looking to make improvements to their existing spaces.
Applications will be accepted until Thursday, December 11, 2025, 12:00 pm or until grant funds are fully expended. To find more about this program and request an application, email econdev@albanyca.org or call (510) 528-5736.
Past Grant Programs
COVID Small Business Assistance Grant (2022)
On April 8, 2022, the City of Albany launched a COVID Small Business Assistance Grant Program, funded by the City's allocation of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. This program was able to support over 60 Albany small businesses impacted by the pandemic with grants up to $20,000 per eligible business. The application window for this grant closed on May 20, 2022.
Window & Door Repair Grant (2022-23)
The purpose of this grant was to offer support to businesses and nonprofit organizations that sustained window and door damage from October 3, 2022 to June 1, 2023 due to vandalism or break‐in. All Albany businesses were able to apply for up to $2,500 in reimbursement funds.
Parklet Grant
This grant provided financial assistance to Albany businesses interested in upgrading or installing a parklet for dining or shopping. The program reimbursed eligible expenses incurred by the business related to the outdoor development, construction, and operation of a parklet. A parklet is defined as a longer-term installation within the public right-of-way, while maintaining safety, accessibility, and design standards consistent with the City's approved Parklet Program Regulation. Grants provided up to 80% of the total cost up to $15,000 for eligible expenses approved under the City of Albany Parklet Program.