Chicago Announces $3.8 Million in Neighborhood Opportunity Fund Grants
(Chicago, IL = Alex Walczak) Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Chicago Department of Planning and Development (DPD) announced on September 1 that 18 neighborhood businesses will receive a combined $3.8 million in Neighborhood Opportunity Fund (NOF) grants to support $10.5 million in improvement projects across commercial corridors on the city’s South, Southwest and West sides.
“Chicago’s small businesses are the heart of our neighborhoods, and investing in them means investing in the people and communities they serve,” Johnson said. “Through the Neighborhood Opportunity Fund, we’re helping entrepreneurs turn their ideas into thriving businesses, strengthening commercial corridors, and expanding economic opportunity across Chicago’s South, Southwest, and West sides.”
The grants range from $86,250 to $250,000 and will support a diverse group of businesses, including a movie theater in Humboldt Park, a bakery in Auburn Gresham and a grocery store in New City.
“Each project represents incremental progress toward more vibrant commercial corridors in selected neighborhoods across the city,” DPD Commissioner Ciere Boatright said.
Among the grant recipients, Aloha Wagon will receive $250,000 to create space for a restaurant expansion, while Area 44 Cafe will receive $187,500 to develop a cafe, juice bar and event space. Blue Kite Wellness will receive $250,000 to build a behavioral health and wellness center.
The recipients were selected from 50 proposals submitted to DPD earlier this year. Applications were evaluated based on several criteria, including project readiness and community need.
NOF grants reimburse up to 75% of eligible costs for new construction and rehabilitation projects in designated commercial areas on Chicago’s West, South and Southwest sides. Additional funding is also available for design and technical assistance.
The program is funded through density bonus fees generated by downtown construction projects, creating a mechanism through which development activity in the city’s core helps support investment in underserved neighborhood commercial corridors.
Applications for NOF grants are accepted on a rolling basis. The next evaluation deadlines are August 14 and November 13.
Additional information about the Neighborhood Opportunity Fund is available through the City of Chicago’s official website.
