Hialeah Offers Year of Free Rent

The City of Hialeah is offering qualifying small businesses free rent for a year at city-owned retail space in the Palm Centre, according to the city's program page and application materials. Mayor Bryan Calvo said the effort is aimed at bringing new tenants into the East Hialeah property and giving startups time to establish customers before taking on full occupancy costs. The program is open through an online application that asks owners for a business description, operating plans, space needs and supporting materials. Calvo told CBS Miami the city hopes to have selected businesses moved in by the end of 2026. ### Which businesses is Hialeah trying to attract? Palm Centre is being marketed to local entrepreneurs and small businesses, with city materials describing the offer as a way to support new and growing companies and activate vacant commercial space. Media reports said the city is targeting uses such as cafes, restaurants, boutiques and studios at the property on East First Avenue. Miami Herald reported the building is a 59,556-square-foot mixed-use property at 240 E. (hialeahfl.gov) First Ave. The city's application form asks applicants to identify whether the business is retail, food and beverage, services or another category. The form also asks whether the business is already operating, what permits or licenses may be required, how much space is needed and whether the tenant expects to make modifications to the space. Applicants are asked to attach a business plan, photos of products or setup, branding materials and a City of Hialeah Business Tax Department pre-application. (hialeahfl.gov) ### What exactly is free, and what is not? The city's program page says selected businesses can use retail space at Palm Centre "at no cost," and the application describes the initiative as an opportunity to utilize the space at no cost. CBS Miami reported Calvo said, "We will cover their rent for the first year," framing the subsidy around the period when many businesses are still building a customer base. Neither the city page snippet nor the application text reviewed here spelled out in public-facing language whether utilities, build-out costs, insurance or permitting fees are also waived. (hialeahfl.gov) Hialeah's broader business pages say companies still need to comply with city regulations, zoning requirements and safety standards before opening. The city's business tax page says the Business Tax Division issues business tax receipts and helps owners navigate local licensing requirements, while the planning and zoning page recommends a pre-application review before moving forward with a location. (hialeahfl.gov) ### How much space is available at Palm Centre? Mayor Bryan Calvo said the site could have up to 30,000 square feet available, according to CBS Miami. Miami Herald separately described Palm Centre as a 59,556-square-foot mixed-use building, indicating the free-rent offer covers part of the overall property rather than the entire complex. (hialeahfl.gov) The Palm Centre program page does not list a fixed square-foot allotment for each applicant in the material surfaced by search. Instead, the application asks each business how much space it needs to operate and whether special accommodations are required, suggesting the city plans to match tenants to available units based on concept and fit. That is an inference from the application fields, not a separately stated city rule. (cbsnews.com) ### What does an applicant have to submit? The application requires owner contact information, business details, operating hours and a description of products or services. It also asks applicants to explain any permit needs and physical setup requirements, including food preparation, retail display or office use. Interested businesses are directed to review the application requirements and submit the completed form with supporting materials through the city's Palm Centre Business Opportunity Program page. (hialeahfl.gov) The city's site map and forms pages list both the program page and the application document among available city resources. ### When will businesses know if they were chosen? (hialeahfl.gov) CBS Miami reported on May 15 that the city was still taking applications and that Calvo hoped to have businesses moved in by the end of the year. The public materials reviewed do not specify a posted deadline, selection calendar or move-in schedule beyond that target. For now, the next step is the application review process. (hialeahfl.gov) Businesses can find the Palm Centre Business Opportunity Program page and application form on Hialeah's website, where the city says interested owners should submit the required materials for consideration. (cbsnews.com)