Economic Development
The Department of Planning and Development's economic development initiatives include a wide spectrum of financial assistance programs, business development efforts, and related quality-of-life endeavors for local neighborhoods.
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.
Funding Opportunities
![Card Image](/content/dam/city/depts/dcd/icons/Economic-Development.png)
Small Business Improvement Fund (SBIF)
The Small Business Improvement Fund (SBIF) provides grant funding for permanent building improvements and repairs across the city.
![Card Image](/content/dam/city/depts/dcd/icons/Housing.png)
Chicago Recovery Grant Application for Community Development
DPD periodically accepts applications for grant funding to support local commercial, mixed-use, and light manufacturing development. All are welcome to apply during open submission periods. City staff will prioritize projects in areas of Chicago where there is a history of disinvestment or limited private investment.
![Card Image](/content/dam/city/depts/dcd/icons/Historic-Preservation.png)
Special Service Area (SSA) Program
Special Service Areas, known as Business Improvement Districts or BIDs in other cities, are local tax districts that fund expanded services and programs through a localized property tax levy within contiguous areas.
Other Resources for Business Owners
![Card Image](/content/dam/city/depts/dcd/icons/Zoning.png)
Local Industrial Retention Initiative (LIRI)
DPD funds several not-for-profit organizations as delegate agency partners for the Local Industrial Retention Initiative (LIRI) program.
![Card Image](/content/dam/city/depts/dcd/icons/Commissions.png)
Neighborhood Business Development Centers (NBDC)
The City of Chicago provides hyper-local support to business owners and start-up entrepreneurs through the Neighborhood Business Development Centers (NBDC) grant program, which funds Chicago-based nonprofit business service organizations, located throughout the City, to provide FREE BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE.