NoMa Retail Opportunity Fund

NoMa Retail Opportunity Fund

Overview: The NoMa BID launched the NoMa Retail Opportunity Fund in February 2024 to enhance NoMa's vibrant and evolving streetscape by offering grants to support existing NoMa retailers and provide incentives for independent, small, locally owned businesses to establish stores in NoMa.

Award Amount: $2,500 - $25,000 depending on the scale of the proposed project and other eligibility criteria

Geographic Scope: NoMa BID boundary in Washington, DC (35 blocks just north of Union Station)

Focus Areas:

Storefront improvements and enhancements

Exterior signage and wayfinding improvements

Outdoor dining spaces and patio creation

Public art installations and murals

Entrance improvements and canopies

Retail space activation and customer experience enhancement

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Type:

Retail tenants with a current lease in the NoMa BID

New retail tenants committed to obtaining a lease within the NoMa BID

Location Requirements:

Must have an existing retail space or be dedicated to obtaining a retail lease within the NoMa BID

For new retail leases: minimum 5-year lease term required

For existing leases: minimum 3 years remaining in lease term

Must have ground-level, pedestrian-accessible storefront (restaurants, bars, stores, services, entertainment, experiential concepts)

Business Requirements:

Minimum 2+ years of retail ownership or experience with positive track record and proven stability

Locally owned: not less than 51% of controlling interests owned by individuals residing within the National Capital Region

Must be independently operated

Not eligible: National chains and franchises

For-profit business structure required

Registered to do business in the District of Columbia

Valid DC business license required

No record of foreclosures, receiverships, bankruptcies, or similar actions within the last 3 years

Funding Restrictions:

Grant awards capped at not more than 50% of total "permissible expenses" for the proposed retail project

Applicants must provide proof of funding for remaining balance of eligible project costs

Project Requirements

• All applications must propose a concept for a physical project

Contact Information

Brian Smith Senior Director of Planning and Economic Development NoMa BID (202) 961-6334 [email protected]

Danielle Contorer
Senior Associate of Planning and Economic Development
NoMa BID
(240) 814-3480
[email protected]

Mailing Address:
Uline Arena
1140 Third St. NE, 4th Floor, Suite B
Washington, DC 20002
(202) 289-0111
[email protected]