CHICAGO ~ Chicago Mayor Announces $3.8 Million in Grants for Neighborhood Businesses

Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Department of Planning and Development (DPD) have announced the recipients of the Neighborhood Opportunity Fund (NOF) grants, totaling over $3.8 million. The grants will support 18 businesses across Chicago's South, Southwest, and West Sides.

The NOF program aims to revitalize commercial corridors in these neighborhoods by providing financial assistance to small businesses. This year's grant recipients include a movie theater in Humboldt Park, a sweets shop in Auburn Gresham, and a grocery store in New City.

According to Mayor Johnson, investing in small businesses means investing in the communities they serve. He believes that these grants will not only help entrepreneurs turn their ideas into successful businesses but also create economic opportunities for residents.

The grants range from $86,250 to $250,000 and will support projects valued at $10.5 million. DPD Commissioner Ciere Boatright stated that each project represents a step towards revitalizing commercial corridors and making them more attractive to residents.

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Among the awardees are Aloha Wagon, which received $250,000 for an expansion into an adjacent space on Western Avenue; Area 44 Cafe, which received $187,500 for a cafe and juice bar buildout in Chatham; and Asah Wellness, which received $144,000 for a wellness studio in East Garfield Park.

Other recipients include Ashunti Community Resource Center in Austin ($187,500), B&B Ice Cream and Candy in Auburn Gresham ($187,500), Blue Kite Wellness in Auburn Gresham ($250,000), Bubble Bob's Laundromat in Gage Park ($250,000), Bueno Days coffee shop on Cermak Road ($250,000), Chicago St. Louis clothing store on Chicago Avenue ($250,000), Dreamville Campus nonprofit facilities in West Englewood ($250,000), Full Video Production Services Inc. in South Shore ($144,722), Great Minds Escape LLC escape room in South Chicago ($250,000), The K9 Corridor pet care business incubator on Western Avenue ($86,250), La Internacional grocery store and restaurant in New City ($150,000), Oakland Renovation and Rehab LLC bike shop in Grand Boulevard ($250,000), Poetic Properties movie theater and community space in Humboldt Park ($250,000), Prismatic Vista renovations to two commercial spaces in Humboldt Park ($250,000), and Suga Ray's Famous Chicken & Waffles restaurant in South Shore ($250,000).

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The 18 awardees were selected from 50 proposals submitted to DPD earlier this year. The applications were evaluated based on project readiness, neighborhood needs, and other criteria.

The NOF grants reimburse up to 75% of eligible costs for new construction and rehabilitation projects along commercial corridors on the West, South, and Southwest Sides. Additional funding is also available for design and technical assistance. The program is funded by density bonus fees paid by downtown construction projects.

Applications for the NOF grants are accepted on a rolling basis with evaluation deadlines occurring on August 14th and November 13th. For more information about the program or to apply for a grant, visit Chicago.gov/NOF.

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