A national open-air shopping center landlord with ownership interests in eight Connecticut retail centers said it’s offering a year of free rent and other services to qualified entrepreneurs.
Kimco Realty Corp., a real estate investment trust, said Tuesday that it would expand its Kimco Entrepreneurs Year Start (KEYS) program to Connecticut and seven other states.
Kimco is offering KEYS at Elm Plaza Shopping Center in Enfield, Home Depot Plaza in North Haven and Wilton River Park in Wilton, according to its website.
Founded in 2012 in California and now available in 19 states, KEYS offers a year of free rent in an established retail center and access to retail business counselors. At the end of the year, lessees can exercise a four-year extension option.
Applicants to the program must provide a written business plan and show that they have adequate funding.
Relevant business training from a college, a U.S. Small Business Administration Small Business Development Center or NxLevel course is preferred.
