move program application form
The Make Office Vacancy Extinct (MOVE) Program is designed to assist new business attraction and business formation in the County. Businesses new to the County that lease up to 20,000 square feet of Class A or B office space and wet lab space may receive a grant of $8.00 per square foot. The MOVE Grant amount is capped at $80,000. Companies need to apply here for funding within 90 days of signing a lease.
Additionally, companies currently working from co-working spaces and business incubators located in the County may qualify for MOVE Grants. Each company will need to provide proof of its co-working or incubator space agreement as part of the evaluation process for MOVE. Please contact MCEDC staff for more details.
About The MOVE Program
Qualifications:
The applicant must be a new business to the County. A new business is defined as one that is relocating or expanding from a location outside the County or a homebased startup occupying their first commercial office in the County. Examples of businesses that do not qualify as new are those that previously operated in commercial space in the County through an assumed lease, a sublease, or colocation and then execute a new lease in their name.
All businesses are eligible except for retail, restaurant, and independent financial or insurance agent/broker establishments. Independent agent/broker establishments are defined as a sole proprietorship that primarily sells products underwritten by a third-party.
Craft alcohol production companies (breweries, cideries, distillers and wineries) whose primary use of the space is production are eligible not withstanding their retail operations.
The applicant must execute a direct lease with a landlord for at least three years for Class A or B commercial office space in the County. Classification of the space is verified through Costar as of the date of application.
a. Class A or B flex space will qualify for businesses that can demonstrate wet lab space is required as evidenced by their business proposal.
b. Shared office space providers must submit an occupancy permit, if a lease was not executed
Total leased space must be equal to or less than 20,000 square feet. Only production space is considered for craft alcohol production companies.
For purposes of calculating the grant amount, a cap of 10,000 square feet is used.
The application receipt date must be within 90 days of the signed lease date.
The application will be reviewed, and if qualified, the applicant will receive assistance upon submission of the executed lease and verification of occupancy.