Ready, Steady, Open!
Ready, Steady, Open!
Round 1 Grants Open until Nov. 1!
View all eligibility requirements and grant types available below.
Awards anticipated to be announced mid-to late-November.
The City of Tucson is investing in Tucson's infrastructure. These investments are necessary and have long-term benefits, but construction creates a temporary and sometimes significant disruption for businesses located in the work zone.
On September 22, 2026, the City of Tucson Mayor and Council unanimously approved a pilot program to provide meaningful assistance to businesses before, during, and after construction of City capital projects. The pilot program will provide:
Grants
Apply via ZoomGrants™
Applications will ONLY be accepted through the ZoomGrants portal.
Once your business creates a ZoomGrants account, you are able to communicate with City of Tucson grants staff directly through your profile.
The worksheets below are to prepare applicants by sharing what questions are on the application and what documents will be required.
Grant Application Worksheet (English)(DOCX, 163KB)
Grant Application Worksheet (Spanish)(DOCX, 157KB)
Purpose:
Focused on small local businesses that are most likely to feel the relative impact of temporary disruption and where modest investments can make a meaningful difference.
Amount Available:
$345,000 in Tucson American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Framework dollars.
Qualifying Project Corridors:
City capital construction projects that restrict traffic longer than 90 days/3 months in FY26 or FY27 and more than 10 businesses are adjacent/near the project site. See map of the selected project corridors.
Eligibility:
Small local businesses on the selected project corridors. Applicants must select the appropriate grant type for the selected project corridors. Additional criteria:
- Located adjacent to the construction work zone (unless project corridor description specifies otherwise)
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Primary business activities NOT: liquor store, smoke shop, CBD project manufacturer and seller, farm, politically affiliated business, armament / weapons business, adult-oriented business, lending business (i.e. check cashing), investment business (with intention of using capital for investing purposes)
- Not previously awarded a grant of the same grant type for the same selected project
Selection Criteria:
Grant funding is limited and competitive. Not all applications received will be awarded. Applications will be prioritized for award based on four criteria: the business’s viability; the construction-related impact on the business; the financial need or costs the business has identified; and the proposal for use of City funding.
Grant Types Available by Selected Project Corridors - View Map
There are three grant types. Proposals for funding requests might include the following examples - all proposals will be considered provided they meet selection criteria.
Grant Type / Examples
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Project Corridors Selected
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Ready - Up to $500 Available
Grants help cover costs as businesses prepare for construction. For example:
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- Prop. 101 Downtown Package
- Houghton Road: 22nd to Irvington
- Silverbell: Goret to El Camino Del Cerro
- 22nd Street: Camino Seco to Houghton
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Steady - Up to $10,000 Available
Grants to help businesses remain open and operational during construction. For example:
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- 5th Street: Country Club to Wilmot
- 22nd St Bridge Replacement
- Grant Rd: Sparkman to Swan
- Park Ave:18th St to 36th St
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Open - Up to $5,000 Available
Grants to help businesses recover after construction ends and corridor improvements are in place.
Any of the examples already provided could qualify.
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- South 12th Ave: Irvington to Drexel
- Valencia Rd: Kolb to Houghton
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*Corridors in bold are RTA Projects
Grant Application Technical Assistance and Education Webinars
Learn more about these grant opportunities and ask your questions to City of Tucson grants staff. Once your business creates a ZoomGrants account, you are able to communicate with City of Tucson grants staff directly through your profile.
Thursday, October 8, 2026 | 2 p.m.
Join the Meeting
Meeting ID: 291 983 198 169 256
Passcode: NR9ei3R4
Wednesday, October 14, 2026 | 10 a.m.
Join the Meeting
Meeting ID: 291 983 198 169 256
Passcode: NR9ei3R4
Tuesday, October 20, 2026 | 1 p.m.
Join the Meeting
Meeting ID: 291 983 198 169 256
Passcode: NR9ei3R4
Enhanced Communications and Outreach
Everyone can prepare for and navigate City construction projects when they have information to help make decisions.
Guides / Checklists:
Tucson Department of Transportation & Mobility staff is creating Tucson-specific materials. While they work on them, here are examples we found from other communities that may help you now. These can help you understand what to expect with major construction projects and roadway closures, and how to plan for it all.
Available Resources
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City of Tucson Office of Community and Economic Impact - A new office integrating together parts of the City’s economic initiatives, prosperity initiative, climate action, cultural affairs, and equity programs.
Questions? Contact Us
readysteadyopen@tucsonaz.gov
Background / Supporting Documents
On Tuesday, Sept. 22, Tucson's Mayor and Council approved a one-year pilot program to provide financial and technical support to local small businesses affected by City capital construction projects. The program will use $345,000 in remaining American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to provide three types of one-time grants to eligible businesses along select construction corridors, helping them prepare for, remain operational during, and recover from construction-related impacts. The pilot would also provide enhanced communication and outreach through dedicated City staff to help businesses navigate construction impacts, such as changes to customer access, parking, deliveries, visibility, traffic patterns, and utility disruptions.