Hercules Business Attraction Grant 2.0 –
Tiered Incentive Program
Eating & Drinking Establishment Grant Program Eligibility The vacant space must be less than 5,000 square feet
The business is a brick-and-mortar, for-profit, sales tax-generating businesses in one of the following categories:
Restaurant
Café (if the café comprises a majority of the space/operation, or if the café is the primary use and not incidental to another use) Wine bar
Brewery or taproom
Craft distillery
The business must lease/rent their commercial property directly from a landlord.
The business is either independently owned/operated or a locally owned franchisee (i.e., local outlets of chains or franchises that are headquartered outside of the nine-county Bay Area and/or have more than six locations are not eligible) The business must provide a matching move-in expenditure equal to or greater than the grant amount.
The maximum grant amount is $20,000 for spaces less than 1,500 square feet and $30,000 for spaces between 1,500 and 5,000 square feet.
General Business Attraction Grant Program Eligibility
The vacant space must be 5,000 square feet or larger
The business is a brick-and-mortar, for-profit, sales tax-generating businesses in one of the following categories:
Beer/Wine/Liquor Stores
Books/Periodicals/Music Stores
Clothing/Shoe Stores
Department Stores
Drugstore/Health/Personal Care
Electronics/Appliances
General Merchandise
Grocery Stores
Hobby/Games/Toys
Jewelry/Luggage/Leather Goods
Kitchenware/Furniture/Home Furnishings
Musical Instruments
Pets/Pet Food/Pet Supplies
Specialty Food Stores
Sporting Goods
Businesses that sell used merchandise and/or accept donations on-site are not eligible The business must have a lease in place with a primary term of at least five (5) years, excluding options The business may be independently or corporate owned/operated or a franchisee, with no limitations on corporate or franchise ownership The business must provide a matching move-in expenditure equal to or greater than the grant amount.
The maximum grant amount is $50,000 for spaces between 5,000 and 15,000 square feet and $100,000 for spaces over 15,000 square feet Submittal Requirements (Both Programs)
Signed Lease or Letter of Intent (LOI) for a vacant (as of the grant application date) tenant space in Hercules.
Verification that all required Planning approvals for the business have been granted and applicable appeal periods have expired.
Pro-forma detailing all construction and move-in expenses required to open the business.
Grant amount requested and verification by the pro-forma that the grant amount will not exceed 50% of all construction and move-in expenses.
Complete and signed online application which will include:
Verification that the business is within one of the eligible categories.
For Eating & Drinking Establishments, verification that the business is either independently owned/operated or a locally owned chain (as required under eligibility requirements) Use of Funds
Tenant improvements (construction costs)
Signage
City, County or Utility permitting and connection fees
Mechanical, Appliance and Equipment Costs
Furniture and Furnishings
Computer and Software Costs
Grant payments (up to the amount requested and awarded) will be upon submittal of receipts and/or invoices to the City or its designee every 30 days, with a minimum payment of $5,000 per payment request. Business shall obtain a City Business license and have a Certificate of Occupancy prior to final reimbursement payment.