Restaurants, retail & main street businesses grants in New Hampshire
Cities and counties fund storefront improvements, downtown revitalization and small business recovery. In New Hampshire, these funds reach restaurants, retail & main street businesses businesses and nonprofits through New Hampshire state agencies, county programs and city economic development offices, alongside direct federal awards.
Example programs available to New Hampshire applicants
- City façade and storefront improvement grants
- County small business relief funds
- Main Street program grants
Getting started in New Hampshire
- 01Register your business with New Hampshire (usually the Secretary of State) and get an IRS EIN.
- 02Check New Hampshire licensing, permits and tax registration rules for restaurants, retail & main street businesses.
- 03Register on SAM.gov for a free UEI so you can receive federal funds passed through New Hampshire agencies.
- 04Contact your local New Hampshire Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for free help with plans and applications.
- 05Ask your New Hampshire city and county economic development office about local restaurants, retail & main street businesses grants and incentives.
Who qualifies
- Independently owned restaurants, cafés, bars, and food businesses with a physical storefront in a designated downtown, commercial corridor, or target area
- Retail shops and personal service businesses (salons, repair shops, boutiques) that meet local size limits, such as a cap on employees or annual revenue
- Commercial property owners, and tenants who have the property owner's written consent, applying for façade, signage, or exterior improvement grants
- Businesses in low- to moderate-income areas or historic districts, where programs funded by Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) or historic preservation funds often focus
- Nonprofits such as Main Street organizations, chambers of commerce, business improvement districts, and community development corporations that run or re-grant revitalization funds
- Businesses that can show a qualifying impact or need, such as disaster damage, a declared emergency, or job creation or retention, when a program requires it
Where the funding comes from
HUD Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program: HUD gives CDBG funds to cities, counties, and states, which often use them for façade improvement and small business assistance in low- to moderate-income areas. Businesses usually apply through the local community development office, not to HUD directly.
USDA Rural Development, Rural Business Development Grants (RBDG): These grants go to rural towns, nonprofits, and public bodies, which may use them for technical assistance, training, or revolving loan funds that serve small businesses. Individual businesses generally benefit indirectly rather than applying themselves.
U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA): The SBA rarely gives grants directly to restaurants or retailers. It offers loans, including 7(a), 504, microloans, and disaster loans after declared disasters, plus free advising through Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs), SCORE, and Women's Business Centers, which can help you find local grants. The 2021 Restaurant Revitalization Fund is closed.
National Park Service and IRS Federal Historic Tax Credit: Owners of income-producing, certified historic buildings may qualify for a 20% federal tax credit on qualified rehabilitation costs. This is a tax credit, not a grant, but it is often combined with local storefront programs. Some states offer their own historic credits as well.
State Main Street coordinating programs and state economic development agencies: Many states run Main Street programs affiliated with Main Street America (National Main Street Center). They may provide downtown revitalization, building improvement, or small business grants, usually through local Main Street organizations.
City façade and storefront improvement grants: These are often run by a city economic development or planning department, downtown development authority, or redevelopment agency. They are commonly matching grants (for example, 50/50) for signage, awnings, lighting, windows, paint, and accessibility upgrades, and are usually paid as a reimbursement.
County small business relief and recovery funds, plus business improvement districts (BIDs) and local Main Street organizations: Counties sometimes open relief rounds after disasters or economic shocks, and BIDs or Main Street groups may offer small grants for beautification, marketing, or vacancy reduction.
Common requirements
- A current business license or permit from your city or county, plus industry-specific permits such as a food service or health permit, a liquor license if applicable, and a certificate of occupancy
- Registration with your state as an LLC, corporation, or nonprofit in good standing, an IRS Employer Identification Number (EIN), and any required state sales tax permit
- SAM.gov registration and a Unique Entity ID (UEI) if you apply directly for federal funds. Registration is free at SAM.gov, so avoid paid services that claim to be required. Many local programs do not require it, so check each program's rules.
- Financial documents, which commonly include recent business tax returns, profit-and-loss statements, bank statements, and sometimes proof of revenue loss or of income-area eligibility
- Proof of property control, such as a deed or a lease, plus written owner consent for any exterior work if you are a tenant
- Project documentation, which often includes photos of current conditions, design drawings, two or more contractor bids, and a timeline. Design review, historic district, building permit, or sign permit approvals may be needed before work begins.
- Compliance items such as proof of insurance, a W-9, no outstanding taxes or code violations, and agreement to follow program rules (for example, not starting work before approval, or paying prevailing wages when federal funds require it)
How to apply
- 01Research local programs first. Contact your city or county economic development office, downtown development authority, local Main Street organization, chamber of commerce, and nearest Small Business Development Center (SBDC) to learn which grants are open in your area and when application windows occur.
- 02Read the program guidelines carefully to confirm eligibility. Check your location, business size and type, eligible expenses, match requirements, and whether the grant reimburses costs after completion. Do not start any work before approval, because pre-approval expenses are often ineligible.
- 03Gather your documents. Collect licenses, registrations, financial statements, tax returns, your lease or deed, owner consent, photos, and contractor bids. Register in SAM.gov for a UEI if any federal application requires it, and allow several weeks for processing.
- 04Prepare and submit a complete application before the deadline. Include a clear project description, budget, timeline, and how the project benefits the business and the district. Ask program staff or an SBDC advisor to review your draft if possible.
- 05If you are selected, follow the grant agreement. Get the required permits and design approvals, complete the work within the deadline, keep all receipts and proof of payment, and submit your reimbursement request and any final reports. If you are not selected, ask for feedback and watch for future rounds.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a federal grant just for restaurants right now?
Generally, no. The Restaurant Revitalization Fund was a one-time 2021 program and is closed. Today, most grant support for restaurants comes from local and state programs, sometimes funded with federal dollars such as CDBG. Be cautious of websites or calls promising 'free government grants' for a fee, because official applications do not charge fees to apply.
Can I get a façade grant if I rent my storefront?
Often yes, but most programs require written consent from the property owner. Some allow only the owner to apply, so check the specific program's rules.
Do I have to pay anything up front?
Frequently, yes. Many storefront grants are reimbursement-based matching grants. You pay for the approved work first, and the program then reimburses its share after you submit proof of payment. Plan your cash flow, or ask whether the program offers progress payments.
Do I need a SAM.gov registration and UEI for local grants?
Not always. A UEI from SAM.gov is required when you receive federal funds directly. City and county programs may or may not require it, even when they use federal money. SAM.gov registration is free, and it can take several weeks, so register early if any program you are pursuing asks for it.
What can I do if no grants are open in my area?
Ask your local economic development office and Main Street organization to notify you when new rounds open, since many programs run annually or after disasters. Meanwhile, consider SBA-backed loans, microloans, community development financial institutions (CDFIs), historic tax credits if your building qualifies, and free advising from SBDCs or SCORE. None of these options are guaranteed, and each has its own approval criteria.
Free eligibility check: grants, licenses and every step for your city and county.
Researched from public sources. Program details change, so always confirm with the New Hampshire funding agency. GrantVerify does not award grants or guarantee funding.