The Connect Downtown Johnson City, Inc. (Main Street Program Advisory Board) is thrilled to offer annual micro-grants to help downtown businesses grow, enhance their spaces, and bring new energy to the district.
Donor Name: Connect Downtown Johnson City
State: Tennessee
City: Johnson
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 07/20/2026
Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000
Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned
Details:
The Downtown Business Microgrant Program is designed to help businesses complete practical, visible, and measurable projects that strengthen downtown as a destination for shopping, dining, entertainment, services, and community connection.
Grant funds may be used for business improvements, business development, marketing, new product or service development, events, programming, and other projects that directly benefit the applicant’s downtown business and contribute to the broader downtown district. If you’re a business or property owner in downtown Johnson City, this is your chance to invest in projects that make a difference — for your business and the entire downtown community. The purpose of the microgrant program is to support projects that create clear value for both the individual business and the downtown district.
Goals
Applications should demonstrate one or more of the following goals:
- Enhance the appearance, accessibility, or customer experience of a downtown business
- Drive revenue growth, customer traffic, or repeat visits
- Support business expansion, new products, new services, or new customer segments
- Increase downtown activity through events, programming, or business collaborations
- Strengthen downtown as a place to shop, dine, visit, and spend time
- Improve the long-term sustainability of a downtown business
- Create visible, measurable benefit for both the applicant and the broader downtown district
Categories
- Business Improvement Grants
- Improve the appearance, functionality, accessibility, or customer experience of a downtown business.
- Examples: Exterior lighting, outdoor seating, façade improvements, ADA upgrades, and customer-focused interior renovations.
- Business Development Grants
- Support business growth through new products, services, branding, technology, or other revenue-generating opportunities.
- Examples: Branding, e-commerce tools, pop-up expenses, product launches, equipment, and seasonal business expansions.
- Downtown Engagement Grants
- Support events and experiences that bring people downtown, encourage collaboration, and increase customer engagement.
- Examples: Workshops, classes, business-hosted events, customer appreciation events, live music, tastings, demonstrations, and collaborative promotions.
Funding Information
- Business Improvement Grants: $1,500–$4,000
- Business Development Grants: $750–$3,000
- Downtown Engagement Grants: $250–$1,500
Uses of Funds
Micro-grants can help with a wide range of projects, including:
- Interior or exterior renovations
- Build-out projects
- Storefront improvements
- Events and activations
- Marketing initiatives and more
Eligible Expenses
- Physical improvements to storefronts, interiors, or customer-facing areas
- Equipment or materials directly tied to a new product, service, or customer experience
- Event supplies, rentals, and activation materials
- Marketing, design, branding, and website work tied to a specific project or launch
- Professional services directly tied to the approved project
- Other expenses approved by Connect Downtown Johnson City in advance
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Applicant must be a for-profit business located within the Main Street Program District.
- New businesses may apply if they have an executed lease agreement for a location within the Main Street Program District.
- Grant funds must be used for a project, program, purchase, or activation tied directly to the downtown Johnson City location.
- Applicants must be in good standing with applicable local business licensing requirements.
- Applicants must be able to provide required documentation, including a completed application, W-9, cost estimate or quote, and any supporting materials relevant to the proposed project.
For more information, visit Connect Downtown Johnson City.
