Downtown Partnership opens application for 4th BOOST cohort

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The application round for the fourth cohort of Downtown Partnership of Baltimore‘s BOOST program is now open, the organization announced Tuesday.
BOOST, the Black-Owned and Operated Storefront Tenancy, is DPOB’s signature program aiming to support local minority entrepreneurship while activating vacant retail storefronts in the 106-block business district managed by the organization.
Interested small business owners can find more information, including the application, on BOOST’s information page. 
Each BOOST awardee that completes program training will be eligible for grant funding between $20,000 and $100,000 for capital improvement and start-up costs, according to DPOB. Participants can also expect to receive technical assistance in opening and sustaining their operations and training from the Maryland Small Business Development Center, among other tools and guidance, the organization said in a release. 
“The BOOST Program is designed to do exactly that—boost the prospects of local entrepreneurs so they can realize their full potential and contribute meaningfully to Downtown’s economic vitality and the broader success of our city,” DPOB President Shelonda Stokes said. 
“As a signature initiative of the Downtown Partnership of Baltimore, BOOST is a game changer for minority-owned businesses, intentionally connecting resources, expertise, and networks to build capacity, strengthen systems of support, and expand Downtown’s retail landscape for the benefit of residents, workers, and visitors alike.”  
According to DPOB, applicants are mandated to submit a “thorough business plan,” provide details about their business’s contributions to community and cultural vitality of downtown; and proof that the business aligns with DPOB’s goals of reducing vacancies and providing amenities for residents and visitors alike. 
DPOB said it will offer BOOST application training on Jan. 7 and Jan. 8. 
To apply for the Downtown BOOST Program, small business owners must submit a number of materials, including a detailed business plan and two full years of financials for their businesses. The application round will close on Feb. 3, 2026 and award winners will be announced March 2026.

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