Kofu City Central Shopping District Vacant Store Utilization Subsidy (Separation Renovation for Store-Cum-Residence)

1) Overview: Kofu City subsidy supports central shopping district revitalization by addressing vacant stores. Includes (a) renovation and rent subsidies for SMEs/merchant associations opening new stores, and (b) Separation Renovation Subsidy for owners of store-cum-residence properties to physically separate store and residential portions. Central area defined by city policy; vacant store = commercial/office space unused for 1+ consecutive month. 2) Eligible Applicants: Merchant associations, businesses (SMEs per SME Basic Law Art. 2 or various groups operating/planning store operations), and property owners (with ownership or sale/rental rights). Common requirements: necessary business licenses, no municipal tax delinquency, representatives not subject to imprisonment, no organized crime ties. For separation renovation: store and residence entrances must be unified or undivided; renovation must enable ground-floor commercial leasing; no renovation for self-use or 3rd-degree relative use. 3) Eligible Expenses: For SMEs/associations: renovation costs and store rent (1/3-2/3 rate, ¥300K-1M cap, monthly ¥30K-40K rent cap, 12 months). For owners (separation renovation): interior/exterior and equipment work to separate store/residence (1/2 rate, ¥500K cap). Specialty cases: jewelry/craft in designated areas or Owner Partnership Agreement stores get 2/3 rate ¥1M cap. Requirements: new entry to central area, 4+ days/week and 6+ hours/day operation, 1+ year operation expected. 4) Subsidy Rate, Cap and Schedule: Separation renovation: 1/2 rate, ¥500,000 cap. Max business case (jewelry/craft or Owner Partnership): 2/3, ¥1,000,000. Store rent for FY2026 limited to FY2025 approved continuations. Application before construction; submit application (Form 1), business plan (Form 2), articles, license, tax cert, officer list, floor plans/quotes, lease contract, photos, pledge (Form 3). Performance report due within 1 month of completion or by March 31 of start year, whichever is earlier. 5-year doc retention required.