CHICAGO - Ten neighborhood business projects are slated to receive a combined $2 million in Community Development Grants from the City, Mayor Brandon Johnson announced today. 

 “These investments speak to the promise of the Housing and Economic Development bond. We promised to use these funds to invest in our communities, to support small businesses, create jobs, and make our communities more vibrant,” said Mayor Brandon Johnson. “We know we cannot rely on the federal government, so we are doing for ourselves here in Chicago. I’m proud of these spring grant awards because they are strategic, targeted investments that are essential for the health and vitality of local commercial corridors.”  

 To be funded through proceeds from Mayor Johnson’s Housing and Economic Development bond, the projects represent approximately $4.5 million in neighborhood investments. 

 The businesses and grant amounts include: 

• Artists Book House, 4207 W. Irving Park Road, Irving Park  

         $249,032 for conversion of a former school building into a community arts center and bookstore. 

• Belmont Tavern, 3405 W. Belmont Ave., Avondale  

        $250,000 for renovation of a historic tavern space for use by a new bar operator. 

• Cherish the Moments Pediatric Therapy LLC, 5422 W. Division St., Austin  

        $250,000 to for buildout of a pediatric therapy clinic. 

• Haymarket Center, 120 N. Sangamon St., Near West Side  

        $199,397 for improvements at a nonprofit health care center. 

• It Takes a Village at River City, 800 S. Wells St., Loop  

        $96,525 for improvements at a childcare facility. 

• Luckycat, 2806 N. Clark St., Lake View  

        $214,874 for buildout of café space. 

• POD39 Studios, 70 E. Pershing Road, Douglas  

        $225,324 for buildout of a podcast studio. 

• RRM Visions LLC, 3420 W. Roosevelt Road, North Lawndale  

        $250,000 to renovate a vacant storefront for a restaurant and event venue. 

• Skylark Bar & Restaurant, 2147-49 S. Halsted St., Lower West Side  

        $31,893 for rehabilitation of a restaurant and residential units. 

• Tacotlan, 4312 W. Fullerton Ave., Hermosa  

        $250,000 for rehabilitation of a restaurant space with second-floor seating and a kitchen addition. 

 Community Development Grant awards are administered by the Department of Planning and Development (DPD) and distributed incrementally as individual project phases are completed. Today’s awardees were selected from 167 applications, based on project viability, applicant experience, neighborhood needs, and other factors. 

 More information is available on the DPD website at Community Development Grant website. 

###