About this programme
The Small Business Assistance Program (SBAP) is run by the City of Dallas Office of Economic Development. It provides reimbursable grants to small businesses making a capital investment to expand, renovate, or relocate within Dallas, with larger grants available in the city's designated target areas and for projects that create or retain jobs.
The program is aimed at businesses with 20 or fewer employees across one or multiple locations, and it is designed to help fund capital improvement projects that the business is largely paying for itself: at least 75% of project costs must come from sources other than the City.
How it works
In target areas, a business can receive a grant of 15% of eligible project costs (capped at $300,000) without job creation, or 25% of costs (capped at $400,000) if it creates or retains living-wage jobs. In non-target areas, the grant is 15% of costs without job creation or 25% with job creation, but both are capped at $100,000.
To reach the higher, job-creation-linked grant tier, a business in a target area needs to create at least 5 jobs or retain at least 10, while a business in a non-target area needs to create at least 10 jobs or retain at least 15. Additional grant funds are only released after the City verifies the jobs were actually created.
The grant is reimbursable, meaning the City pays it out after the business has incurred the eligible costs, not upfront. Businesses that receive job-creation-linked funds must maintain those jobs for the full five-year term of the agreement.
Improvements made before the business signs an agreement with the City do not count toward the minimum project cost, so a business needs to have the agreement in place before starting the work it wants reimbursed.
Who can apply
The business must have 20 or fewer employees, counted across all of its locations.
Total project cost cannot exceed $2 million, and property acquisition costs are excluded from the minimum investment calculation.
In target areas, the minimum capital investment is $150,000. In non-target areas, it is $250,000.
At least 75% of the project cost must come from sources other than the City of Dallas.
How to apply
- Complete the Small Business Assistance Program Application (also available in Spanish).
- Complete the Construction Budget Worksheet.
- Contact the Office of Economic Development to discuss the project and confirm target-area status and eligibility before finalizing plans, since an agreement must be executed before the project costs the business wants reimbursed are incurred.
Frequently asked
How much can my business receive?
In target areas, up to $300,000 (15% of costs) without job creation, or up to $400,000 (25% of costs) with living-wage job creation. In non-target areas, both tiers are capped at $100,000.
Do I need to create jobs to qualify?
No, a base grant is available without job creation, but creating or retaining living-wage jobs qualifies you for a larger grant: 5+ created or 10+ retained jobs in target areas, or 10+ created or 15+ retained jobs in non-target areas.
When does the City actually pay the grant?
It is a reimbursable grant, so the City pays after the business has incurred the eligible project costs, and the job-creation portion is only paid after the City verifies the jobs were created.
Can I get reimbursed for work I already started?
No. Improvements made before an agreement with the City is executed do not count toward the minimum project cost.
How long do I need to keep the jobs I create?
Businesses that receive job-creation-linked grant funds must maintain those jobs for the full five-year term of the agreement.
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Reviewed 2026-09-25. Programmes change, so check eligibility, amounts and deadlines on the official page before you apply. CapEasy is a private firm and is not part of any government body.