Open Your Business in Downtown Cleveland
Our Economic Development team can help navigate city, county, state, and federal programs to maximize your business’ potential. Our Economic Development team has a mission to activate a storefront program that functions off the three R’s.
RECRUIT by engaging with property owners, brokers, and prospective businesses.
RETAIN by maintaining marketing material of our downtown retail environment, including storefront inventory and other digital resources.
Foster the RETAIL ENVIRONMENT means focusing on each of our retail corridors and developing them into a vibrant storefront economy
Storefront Relocation + Growth
From daily necessities to unique shops, Downtown is a growing retail hub. Downtown had 29 storefront business openings in 2024. With a combined spending power of $484M annually, we always have room to grow. Join the momentum and open a storefront with our help.
Real Estate Development
Downtown Cleveland has $1 billion in projects currently under construction and a residential population that doubled in the last 10 years. Join us as we continue to build a dynamic city center.
Office Relocation + Expansion
From daily necessities to unique shops, Downtown is a growing retail hub. Downtown had 29 storefront business openings in 2024. With a combined spending power of $484M annually, we always have room to grow. Join the momentum and open a storefront with our help.
Historic Preservation + Easements
Downtown Cleveland is a national leader in historic building reuse and preservation. Downtown Cleveland, Inc. has advocated for the creation of our ten nationally designated historic districts in Downtown Cleveland. The two key programs for adaptive reuse are historic tax credits and historic easements which can be layered with other development tools. Let us connect you to helpful tools to preserve and update our historical city center.
Food Truck Guide
Fuel cultural vibrancy in downtown Cleveland through unique culinary experiences! Looking for more information on how to operate a food truck or trailer downtown? Check out our Food Truck Guide!
Business Incentives and Resources
The City of Cleveland offers a variety of loans and grants to help new and expanding businesses locate throughout the city, including downtown. Downtown Cleveland’s Economic Development team offers concierge services for businesses interested in city programs.
Why Downtown Cleveland?
60% of Downtown’s population is between 18 and 34
102% residential Growth Since 2000 with 20.5K+ total residents
45% of downtown residents have a bachelor’s degree or higher
3/4 creative jobs in the city are Downtown
Get Connected To Access
With one of North America’s best public transportation systems and an almost perfect walking score, it’s no wonder over 45% of Downtown residents walk, bike, carpool, or take public transportation to work every day.
Get connected to culture
11 professional theaters
3 pro sports teams
14 Music venues/ spaces
20 Coffee Shops
Get Connected to New and Improved Places
$825
In construction Currently underway
MILLION
$9
Invested downtown within the last decade
BILLION