Capacity Building for Business Districts Pilot Program Act of 2025

This bill would create a pilot program at the Economic Development Administration to strengthen local business districts—places like main streets and neighborhood commercial corridors. The agency would give competitive grants to experienced nonprofit groups that work in many places. Those groups would train and support local business district organizations and pass funding down to help small businesses, improve storefronts, and bring more customers—especially in low‑income, rural, minority, and Native communities. The goal is to boost local jobs and economic activity while spreading support across many regions and not just one office area .

The program would make multiple awards, prioritize distressed areas (including rural communities and Indian Tribes), and require regular reports on how funds are used and how many jobs are created or kept. Initial grants would last at least two years. “Business district organizations” are public or nonprofit groups that promote a district, attract investment, and improve the physical space; “specified recipients” are nonprofits with multi‑state reach and proven expertise supporting these kinds of districts .

• Who is affected: Local business district organizations; nonprofit “intermediaries” with wide reach; small businesses and residents in those districts .
• What changes: New federal grants for training, technical help, operating support, and pass‑through funds; multiple awards nationwide; required reporting on spending and jobs; minimum two‑year grant terms .
• When: After it becomes law; initial grants would run for at least two years.