“Retaining and growing businesses is one of our top priorities and fundamental to Chicago’s long-term economic prosperity,” Daley said. “In this tough economic climate, we will work together to enhance commercial growth, support revitalization efforts and develop new employment opportunities.”

Ounce of Prevention Fund
The first ordinance authorizes $400,000 in TIF financing for the expansion of an early childhood education center located in the Grand Boulevard community.

Ounce of Prevention Fund plans to build a 7,800 square foot addition to its Educare Center, located at 5044 S. Wabash Ave. in the 3rd Ward. The new addition will provide space for activity and resource centers, meetings and a
state-of-the-art training facility. Plans also call for the expansion of the parking lot and renovation of the existing building.

Educare Center provides services to at-risk infants, toddlers and pre-schoolers through various learning programs and experiences dealing with social, emotional and cognitive development.

The new development will help retain 63 full-time and three part-time positions and create three new full-time jobs.

Testa Produce Inc. Class 6(b)
The next ordinance authorizes a Cook County Class 6(b) tax incentive to help support the construction of a new produce distribution facility for Testa Properties, LLC a major distributor of fresh fruits and vegetables in the Chicago area.

They will use the tax incentive to help build a 73,000 square foot produce distribution facility and 15,000 square feet of office space currently underway at 4555 South Racine Avenue in the City’s New City community.

The $20.5 million project will be designed to include state-of-the-art distribution technology for efficient material handing and include freezer, dry storage and office space in the 11th Ward.

Testa Produce is a family-owned business that has operated in Chicago since 1912. The new facility will replace an outdated facility and retain 120 jobs and create a minimum of 20 new jobs and 235 temporary construction jobs.

The building will be designed with the goal of achieving Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification for the use of environmentallyfriendly practices in its construction and operation.

The Cook County Class 6(b) classification is designed to encourage industrial development by offering a reduced property tax assessment rate for manufacturing or industrial facilities.

Class 6(b) Renewal for Midco International Inc.
Another ordinance authorizes the renewal of a Class 6(b) tax incentive for Midco International Inc., a manufacturer of burners and accessories for commercial, industrial and residential customers.

The tax incentive will allow Midco, located at 4140 W. Victoria Ave., to keep operating in the City and to retain 50 jobs in the Peterson Pulaski Industrial Corridor.

The original Class 6(b) incentive was issued in 1998 and supported the construction of a new 40,600 square foot addition in the 39th Ward.

Midco was established in Chicago in 1941 and originally manufactured small parts for naval vessels.

Acquisition Authority for 3532-3558 W. Division St.
An ordinance was also introduced for the proposed acquisition of an 118,000 square foot parcel at 3532-3558 W. Division St. in the City’s Humboldt Park community.

The City is seeking authority to acquire the land within the Division/Homan TIF Redevelopment Area for a future grocery store to replace a single-story building that currently serves as a satellite office for the Illinois Department of Children and Family services. The underutilized site offers a prime location for a new retail development and will benefit the community by providing a larger, full service supermarket.

Following City Council approval of acquisition authority, the City will seek approval to solicit requests from developers to redevelop the site in the 26th Ward.