Business Development Incentive Programs

As part of the Economic Development Program, the City of Middleburg Heights has enacted a Job Creation Grant Program that can be used to provide qualified businesses funding to offset the cost of capital investments they make in Middleburg Heights. In addition, the City recently has established two Community Reinvestment Areas (CRA) that give us the option to provide real property tax abatement for business retention and expansion projects within the CRA boundaries. Please note that CRA can only be used to reduce taxes based on an increase of assessed valuation associated with real property improvements or new construction.

The City’s financial assistance programs are intended and designed to help businesses overcome financial barriers to locating or expanding in Middleburg Heights by providing gap funding to help businesses fill the void between the total cost of a project and the total amount of funds the business has available from other sources such as equity and private financing. Therefore, the City must characterize business development plans in terms of specific project parameters such as jobs, payroll and capital investment in order to determine the type and amount of financial assistance needed to support a project.

In addition to the formal financial assistance programs, the City is able to offer other non-traditional incentives for qualified development projects, including greatly expedited rezoning, when required, expedited plan review and approval, and expedited permitting.

All business expansion and development projects receive the personal attention of Mayor Gary Starr and the Director of Economic Development, Charles Bichara, throughout the entire review, approval, permitting, and construction process.

Other business development incentive programs are available through the Ohio Department of Development, and the Cuyahoga County Department of Development including the Economic Development Fund which provides businesses financial assistance to retain and create jobs in Cuyahoga County. The fund provides long term, fixed-rate financing at interest rates lower than conventional financing, and the Grow Cuyahoga County Fund which is designed to assist eligible small business owners within Cuyahoga County obtain loans to grow their businesses and create jobs. Low interest loans of between $35,000 and $1 million are available and may also be used for retail and restaurant development projects.

Representatives from the City, Cuyahoga County, and the State of Ohio would welcome the opportunity to further discuss the advantages of these and other incentives to assist your business expand or locate in Middleburg Heights.


City Zoning Map Indicating CRA Districts

















Click Here to download high resolution PDF (1.8 MB)



City Address Map Indicating CRA Districts

















Click Here to download high resolution PDF (1.7 MB)

Business Wellness Programs

The Middleburg Heights Recreation Department and Economic Development Department are partnering with the American Cancer Society to offer free programs and health screenings to accommodate the increasing number of employers and Middleburg Heights businesses that have expressed interest in participating in wellness programs to facilitate healthier employees, increased productivity and reduced health care costs. 

The Middleburg Heights Recreation Department also offers special corporate memberships and discounted rates for all employees of businesses located in the City.  For a corporate rate brochure, or for more details, please contact Mary Marando, Office Manager for the Community Center at marym35@wowway.com.