Barberton is Back!
Main Street Barberton is coordinating two new programs in partnership with Barberton Community Foundation, the City of Barberton and Barberton Community Development Corporation.
These programs are for building owners who are investing in their downtown building to make significant/transformational improvements, or for new restaurant and retail owners who are looking to move into Barberton’s downtown.
Eligible buildings are in Main Street Barberton’s footprint.
Downtown Building Rehabilitation Program
The Downtown Building Rehabilitation Program (DBRP) will focus on restoring historic properties within Barberton’s downtown. With $200,000 allocated for this program, two grants of up to $100,000 each will be awarded to property owners who match the funding dollar-for-dollar.

Key Details:
- Purpose: Encourage significant investment in downtown properties with deferred maintenance.
- Eligible Uses: Structural repairs, façade restoration, energy efficiency upgrades, safety enhancements, and more.
- Application Opens: February 1, 2025.
- Application Deadline: April 1, 2025.
- Completion Deadline: December 31, 2025.
Restaurant & Retail Challenge Grant
The Restaurant & Retail Challenge Grant will provide $100,000 to support five new or expanding restaurant and retail businesses with grants of up to $20,000 each. Grant recipients are required to match the funding dollar-for-dollar, creating a total potential investment of $200,000.

Key Details:
- Purpose: Empower business owners to establish or expand restaurant or retail in Barberton’s historic downtown.
- Eligible Uses: Tenant improvements, equipment purchases, accessibility upgrades, and marketing and branding.
- Application Deadlines:
- Short Application: April 1, 2025.
- Business Plan Submission: April 8, 2025.
- Pitch Interviews: Week of April 21, 2025.
- Operational Deadline: Businesses must be open by December 1, 2025.
Applications go live on February 1!
Create an account and complete the application at barbertoncf.org
Are You Eligible?
Interested applicants for either program must schedule a pre-application meeting with Main Street Barberton to discuss eligibility and project scope.
Contact Melanie Black Amato at 330-510-1335 or melanie@mainstreetbarberton.com.