GRANTS FOR 18 CHICAGO BUSINESSES
More than $3.8 million in grants will support $10.5 million in improvement projects across South, Southwest and West Side commercial corridors.
CHICAGO — Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Department of Planning and Development (DPD) today announced 18 businesses selected to receive Neighborhood Opportunity Fund (NOF) grants totaling more than $3.8 million. Among the grant recipients are a Humboldt Park movie theater, an Auburn Gresham sweets shop and a New City grocery store.
“Chicago’s small businesses are at the heart of our neighborhoods, and when we invest in them, we invest in the people and communities they serve,” said Mayor Brandon Johnson. “Through the Neighborhood Opportunity Fund, we are helping entrepreneurs turn their ideas into thriving businesses, creating stronger commercial corridors and expanding economic opportunity across Chicago’s South, Southwest and West Sides.”
Ranging from $86,250 to $250,000, the grants are supporting a variety of South, Southwest and West Side improvement projects valued at $10.5 million.
“Each of these projects represents an incremental step forward for commercial corridor vitality that’s common to neighborhoods of choice citywide,” DPD Commissioner Ciere Boatright said.
The awardees and grant amounts include:
NOF grants reimburse up to 75% of eligible costs for new construction and rehabilitation projects along West, South and Southwest Side commercial corridors, with additional funding available for design and technical assistance. The program is funded by density bonus fees paid by downtown construction projects.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, with the next evaluation deadlines occurring Aug. 14 and Nov. 13. For more information, visit Chicago.gov/NOF.
CONTACT:
Mayor’s Press Office 312.744.3334 [email protected]
Department of Planning and Development 312.744.9267