Small Business Assistance

The Department of Planning and Development provides financial assistance programs, business development grants and initiatives to promote vitality in local commercial corridors.  

DPD also provides funding to delegate agencies whose objectives include small business development, site development or area-wide marketing, maintenance and management within a specified commercial business district. 

Community Development Grants

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Community Development Grants (CDG) use proceeds from the 2024 Housing and Economic Development Bond and other funding sources to support new construction and renovations for businesses, neighborhood developers and property owners. Grants are available at three funding levels for commercial and light manufacturing projects.   

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Neighborhood Opportunity Fund

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The Neighborhood Opportunity Fund provides grants of up to $250,000 in eligibile commericial corridors for permanent capital improvements to new and expanding business and cultural assets.   

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Small Business Improvement Fund

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The Small Business Improvement Fund (SBIF) provides grant funding for permanent building improvements and repairs. SBIF grants are funded by Tax Increment Financing (TIF) revenues in designated TIF districts. SBIF applications are submitted during monthly rollout periods for individual TIF districts. 

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TIFWorks

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TIFWorks is an economic development program to subsidize training for employees of qualified businesses located in eligible TIF districts. Grants are for businesses located within authorized TIF districts looking to train their current employees and/or new hires.  

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Additional Resources

Find information about other City of Chicago resources:    

Special Service Areas (SSAs)  
SSAs are local tax districts that fund expanded services and programs through a localized property tax levy within contiguous areas.   

Local Industrial Retention Initiative (LIRI)
The DPD funds several not-for-profit partners to provide assistance to industrial businesses for the purpose of retaining those businesses in the city and supporting the industrial corridors.  

ChiBlockBuilder
The City of Chicago’s application portal for the purchase and redevelopment of City-owned vacant land in partnership with community stakeholders.  

Neighborhood Business Development Centers (NBDCs)
NBDCs include over 70 delegate agencies from the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) that provide no-cost hyperlocal business development assistance to entrepreneurs and business owners throughout the city.

Department Main Office

Planning and Development

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