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West Chester Launches 2025 Spark Grant Program

June 1, 2025  |  West Chester Township SPARK Grant Program
West Chester Township SPARK Grant Program

Small businesses can receive up to $10,000 for exterior improvements

 

West Chester Township honors its entrepreneurial roots with the return of the Spark Small Business Revitalization Grant program for 2025, providing grants ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 to qualifying local small businesses with 20 or fewer employees. Applications opened June 1 with the deadline to apply of August 31, 2025 at 11:59 p.m.

 

This small business grant program funds exterior improvement projects such as exterior painting or lighting, upgrades to outdoor public space, landscaping, signage, or demolition of an existing building.

 

“The Spark Grant program is a smart investment in our small business community that helps strengthen our tax base and enhance the appearance of our township," said Mark Welch, West Chester Township Trustee and President of the Board. "This year, we’ve made improvements to the program to ensure it delivers real, lasting value for our neighborhoods while responsibly investing taxpayers’ dollars.”

 

This year, updates to eligibility requirements include reducing the maximum number of employees to 20 or less and excluding non-profit organizations. While small businesses throughout the township may apply for grants, the scoring criteria is weighted to target specific neighborhoods and business districts for reinvestment.

 

In 2024, the inaugural SPARK grant program approved funding for 18 projects, awarding a total of $114,081 to help local business owners improve the exterior of their business. Last year’s recipients used these grants for projects such as exterior painting, improved landscaping, new signage, and walkway and parking lot improvements.

 

“The Spark grant program has truly sparked pride in our local business community, as well as led to addition investment beyond the money provided by these grants,” said Director of Community Development Katy Kanelopoulos. “Last round, we saw more than $300,000 invested by the small business owners who received Spark grants, which has had a ripple effect on the surrounding community.”

 

More information regarding the grant programs and applications can be found at www.westchesteroh.org.

 

Business owners with questions or who need help submitting an application can contact Economic Development Manager Michelle Cone at mcone@westchesteroh.org.