Dallas Printing just became the first business to receive funding from the city’s brand-new Small Business Assistance Program, securing $400,000 in grant money to relocate from a leased space on Sherry Lane to a building they’ll own on Greenville Avenue. The $1.6 million renovation and expansion will add capacity, create jobs, and strengthen a commercial corridor that needs it.
“The Small Business Assistance Program from the City of Dallas has been very helpful to Dallas Printing,” said Craig Wiese, the company’s president. “The SBAP enabled us to accelerate our expansion plans by adding capacity and capabilities faster than we otherwise would have been able to do.”
If you’re a small business owner thinking about expanding, renovating, or moving into Dallas, you should know about this program. The city approved it in January 2025 specifically to help businesses like yours grow.
What the Program Offers
The Small Business Assistance Program provides grants—not loans—to cover up to 25% of your total project costs. That means if you invest $400,000 in improvements, the city could contribute up to $100,000. No repayment required.
The maximum award depends on your location and whether you’re creating jobs:
In Target Areas (economically designated neighborhoods):
- Base award: 15% of project costs, up to $300,000
- With job creation: 25% of project costs, up to $400,000
Outside Target Areas:
- Base award: 15% of project costs, up to $100,000
- With job creation: 25% of project costs, up to $100,000
Target Areas get significantly better funding because the city wants to concentrate investment where it matters most. Check the city’s Target Area Map at dallasecodev.org to see if your location qualifies.
Who Can Apply
Your business needs to meet specific requirements to qualify:
Business size: 20 or fewer employees total across all locations. If you have slightly more than 20 employees but otherwise fit the program, reach out to city staff—they’ll work with you.
Minimum investment: Your total project must cost at least $150,000 in Target Areas or $250,000 elsewhere. The cost of buying or leasing property doesn’t count toward this minimum—only actual improvements and renovations.
Maximum project size: Projects cannot exceed $2 million. Anything larger might qualify for other economic development incentives instead.
Matching funds: You must already have 75% of your project cost secured from non-city sources before applying. That could be bank financing, private investment, or cash on hand. The city wants to see you’re committed and financially stable.
What counts as eligible costs: Real estate improvements, renovations, equipment, and other capital investments. Property purchase or lease costs don’t count.
The Job Creation Bonus
You get more money if you create or retain living-wage jobs:
In Target Areas:
- Create 5 living-wage jobs OR retain 10 existing jobs: Qualify for the higher 25% funding level (up to $400,000)
Outside Target Areas:
- Create 10 living-wage jobs OR retain 15 existing jobs: Qualify for the higher 25% funding level (up to $100,000)
Dallas Printing qualified for the maximum $400,000 by committing to retain 10 living-wage jobs. The city awarded $240,000 upon project completion and will pay the remaining $160,000 once the company verifies job retention.
You must maintain these jobs for the full five-year term of the grant agreement. The city defines living-wage jobs based on local economic standards—contact city staff for current wage requirements.
How It Works: A Real Example
Let’s say you’re renovating a storefront in a Target Area. Your total project costs $250,000. You’ve secured a bank loan for $187,500 (75%) and need the remaining $62,500 to complete the work. You plan to create five living-wage jobs over five years.
The city would provide $37,500 (15% base award) as a reimbursable grant upon project completion. Once you verify the creation of five jobs, you’d receive an additional $12,500 (the 10% bonus for job creation). Total grant: $50,000.
You’re required to maintain those five jobs for the five-year agreement term. The city monitors compliance to ensure grant conditions are met.
What You Need to Know Before Applying
It’s reimbursable: You pay for improvements first, then submit receipts for reimbursement. You need enough capital or financing to cover costs upfront.
No work before approval: Any improvements made before the city executes your grant agreement don’t count toward the minimum project cost. Wait for the green light.
Approval isn’t automatic: Submitting an application doesn’t guarantee funding. All agreements require approval by the City Manager or City Council, plus review by the City Attorney’s Office.
Five-year commitment: All grant agreements run for five years. You must maintain your business and any promised jobs throughout this period.
Start-to-finish timeline: From application to approval to project completion to final reimbursement takes time. Plan accordingly and maintain communication with city staff throughout.
Why This Matters for Dallas
Small businesses employ 82% of Dallas workers in companies with fewer than 20 people. These aren’t just statistics—they’re your neighbors, the people who fix your car, print your business cards, cater your events, and keep neighborhoods vibrant.
When Dallas Printing moved from a leased space to a building they own on Greenville Avenue, they didn’t just expand their business. They invested in a commercial corridor, created job security for employees, and demonstrated confidence in Dallas’s future.
The Small Business Assistance Program recognizes that small businesses often lack the capital or credit access that larger companies enjoy. By covering up to 25% of project costs, the city removes barriers that prevent good businesses from growing.
These grants also ensure Dallas competes with suburbs for business investment. When small businesses can afford to renovate that vacant storefront or expand their operations, entire neighborhoods benefit from increased foot traffic, tax revenue, and economic activity.
How to Get Started
First, determine if your project qualifies by reviewing the requirements at dallasecodev.org/693/Small-Business-Assistance-Program. Check whether your location sits in a Target Area—that makes a huge difference in funding levels.
Calculate your total project costs and confirm you can secure 75% from non-city sources. Banks, private investors, and your own savings all count.
Contact the Office of Economic Development before you start work. They can guide you through the application process and help determine if your project fits:
- Miguel Esparza, Economic Development Manager: 214-671-8045
- Makayla Jackson, Economic Development Analyst: 972-689-6630
The city wants to approve applications, not reject them. If your project shows promise but doesn’t quite meet requirements, staff will work with you to find solutions or point you toward other resources.
The Bottom Line
Dallas Printing’s $400,000 grant demonstrates the city’s commitment to helping small businesses grow. The Small Business Assistance Program provides meaningful funding for businesses making significant investments in Dallas.
If you’ve been delaying expansion because financing fell short, or avoiding that storefront renovation because costs seemed too high, this program might change your calculation. Up to $400,000 in grant money that you never repay can transform what’s possible for your business.
The program launched this year, and Dallas Printing received the first award. Don’t wait until funding gets allocated. If your business qualifies, start the conversation with city staff today.
Program: Small Business Assistance Program (SBAP)
Grant Amount: Up to 25% of project costs, maximum $400,000 in Target Areas
Repayment: None—this is a grant, not a loan
Eligibility: 20 or fewer employees, minimum $150,000-$250,000 project investment
Requirements: 75% non-city funding secured, work must start after approval
Agreement Term: 5 years
Contact:
- Miguel Esparza, Economic Development Manager: 214-671-8045
- Makayla Jackson, Economic Development Analyst: 972-689-6630
More Information: dallasecodev.org/693/Small-Business-Assistance-Program
Pro Tip: Before you apply, meet with city staff to discuss your project informally. They can tell you whether your business and project fit the program requirements and suggest ways to strengthen your application. This conversation costs nothing and could save you from wasting time on an application that won’t succeed. Plus, they might point you toward other city programs or resources you didn’t know existed.
